669. After the Rejections

It was only after Kannan came out of Sundaramurthy's house, with disappointment, did he realize that he had left the booklet he had prepared about Tamil scholar Kandappan on the coffee table in the living room of Sundaramurthy's house.

When Kannan went back to the house to pick up the booklet, he heard Sundaramurthy talking to his wife.

"It seems there is a Tamil scholar by name Kandappan, who has written a number of books. No one has heard of those books, which have gone out of print. So, this person says he wants to republish those books and bring them to the knowledge of the public. He is asking me to donate money for his venture. What innovative ideas people think of, to make money!"

Sundaramurthy's face showed the embarrassment he felt, when he saw Kannan standing at the doorstep of his house. 

"What now?" he asked, camouflaging his embarrassment as anger. "Didn't I tell you that I can't finance your project?"

"Sir, I have left the booklet brought by me on the table. I came back only to pick up the booklet" said Kannan, with a smile. He then picked up the booklet and walked out. 

Arivazhaan, who accompanied Kannan, remarked, "This man is glorified as a benefactor. But, he has not even treated us with courtesy, while bluntly declining our request."

"Being hailed a benefactor for good causes, he might have felt guilty about declining our request. His rudeness is only a mask to cover up his guilt" said Kannan. 

"Are you a psychologist? You are rationalizing the behaviour of a person, who insulted you!"

"When we are working for a cause, we should be prepared to suffer such insults."

"Let us see who is going to be the next person to insult us!" quipped Arivazhagan. 

"Even if ten people slam their doors on us, the eleventh person may come forward to help us" said Kannan. 

"Kannan! I am amazed by your fortitude. Till now, we have met eight people. None of them were ready to contribute to tis project. The government has been publishing the works of many Tamil scholars. But it did not pay heed to your request to publish the works of Tamil scholar Thangappan. But, you have been pursuing your mission relentlessly. Are you not put out by the rejections and insults being faced by you repeatedly?"

Kannan stopped walking and closed his eyes for a while.

Arivazhagan wondered whether Kannan became disheartened by his words.

Kannan opened his eyes, looked into Arivazhagan's eyes and said, "Arivu! My mind is filled with just one thought. I keep thinking how I would feel after the six books written by Kandappan are published as a result of our efforts. Oh, how exhilarating is that feeling! What fulfillment that gives me! Whenever I face a rejection, I recreate this feeling in my mind. After that, the rejections and insults cease to be matters worth considering. Your accompanying me fortifies my strength to a great extent. But, if you find stomaching these insults difficult..."

"No" Arivazhagan cut him short. "Won't I have at least a fraction of the determination you have? I will continue to be your companion in your selfless pursuit. I have no doubt that you are going to succeed in your efforts and make real the feeling of achievement and satisfaction, which have now been seeing in your imagination."

Arivazhagan held Kannan's hands and pressed them gently, conveying his support.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 67
Efficiency in Action

Verse 669 (in Tamil):
thunbam uRa varinum seyga thuNivu ARRi
inbam payakkum vinai.

Meaning:  

Do the task that brings joy, with courage, even if there is distress while doing it.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'patta avamAnam pOdhAdhA' by the same author.) 

Verse 670 (Soon)
Verse 668