162. Bhaskar's Failures

After Sumathy and Bhaskar got married, the couple visited the homes of many of Bhaskar's colleagues, for lunch or dinner, accepting their invitations. 

One day, Bhaskar told Sumathy, "We are going to my boss Ravi's house today, for dinner."

"I feel nervous, since I can't feel free at your boss's house, as I felt, when we visited your colleagues' homes. Can you cancel the visit on some excuse or other?" asked Sumathy.

"If I decline my boss' invitation, he will be annoyed with me. I may even lose my job. Let us go there, accepting his invitation" said Bhaskar. 

After returning home from Ravi's house, Sumathy asked Bhaskar. "You said Ravi was your boss. But you moved with him, as if he was a friend. Is he a friend or the boss?"

"Both!" said Bhaskar. "Ravi and I were holding the same position in our firm. In fact, he is two years junior to me. But, he got promoted and moved up to a level higher than mine. Since I didn't get any promotion, I am remaining at the same level."

"Don't you feel unhappy about this?"

"I am unhappy about my not getting the promotion. But, I am happy about my friend Ravi getting the promotion!" said Bhaskar.

"Didn't you feel upset that a person junior to you got promoted overtaking you and became your boss?"

"I didn't. You are younger to me. You came to this house only recently. But you have become my boss already! Do I feel unhappy about this?" asked Bhaskar, laughing.

Sumathy looked at her husband with a feeling of surprise and admiration. 'He has no grudge or jealousy about his friend overtaking him and getting a promotion. If a close friend of mine got something that I didn't, I would feel unhappy' she thought. 

The doorbell rang. Sumathy opened the door.

"Is Bhaskar at home?" asked the visitor.

"No. He has gone out. May I know who you are?" asked Sumathy. 

"There is a club called Srinagar Club in this area. I am the secretary of that club."

"Oh! Is Bhaskar a member of the club?"

"He is an active member. Perhaps, you are not aware of this, since you got married recently."

"You are right. I didn't know about it."

"This is one of the biggest clubs in the city. We have a membership of five thousand. There was an election for the secretary, six months back. It was hotly contested as if it was an election to the state assembly. There was hectic campaigning and a lot of excitement. Bhaskar and I were the contestants."

"And you won the election!"

"Yes, I did. But, I have not come across a person like Bhaskar. During the campaign, I had used strong words against him, in my fervour to win the election. But, after the election, Bhaskar began to move with me in a friendly manner, without any hard feelings towards me, for my using harsh words against him, during the campaign. He has become a good friend of mine and has been helping me in carrying out various activities relating to the club. In fact, I came to see him only to seek his advice on a matter relating to the club. I will come and see him later."

He took leave of her and left. 

'When I have a person with such sterling qualities as my husband, what more do I need in my life?' Sumathy thought proudly. 

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 17
Bearing No Envy

Verse 162 (In Tamil)

vizhuppu ERRin ahdhoppadhu illaiyAr mAttum
azhukkARRin anmai peRin.

Meaning:

Not being envious of anybody is a rich reward. There is nothing that can match it.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'bAskarin thOlvigaL' by the same author)

Verse 163 (Soon)
Verse 161