168. Valliappan's Fall

When Muthu joined as the Manager of 'Meenakshi Bhavan,' a restaurant owned by Valliappan, he found Valliappan to be a wonderful person, kind and considerate towards his employees and customers. 

During the next few years of Muthu's association with Valliappan, he often wondered whether there would be other people in the world, with the noble qualities of Valliappan. Because of his esteem for Valliappan, Muthu did not consider attractive offers he received from some other reputed restaurants, at various places. 

Muthu was therefore surprised by the changes in the attitude and behaviour of Valliappan, since the time 'Meenakshi Bhavan' met its competitor in the business.

'Meenakshi Bhavan' had, for the past several years, the reputation of being the best restaurant in the town. Though some other restaurants came up from time to time, they did not grow to the level of becoming a competitor of 'Meenakshi Bhavan.'

But, after 'Lakshmi Vilas' restaurant was opened in that town, the situation changed. Very soon after its opening, 'Lakshmi Vilas' attracted more customers than 'Meenakshi Bhavan.'

"What is there in that restaurant that pulls people? Are the dishes they offer more delicious than the ones we do?" Valliappan asked Muthu.

"I don't think so. sir. People seem to have been attracted by the ambience of that restaurant. The restaurant is housed in a new building, which has a shining floor. The restaurant has other attractions like a attractive display board, fancy furniture etc. However, our business has not been affected. Some of our customers might have gone there out of curiosity, but they have not left us. Perhaps, some customers of other restaurants might have shifted their patronage to the new restaurant. Since we have not been affected by the opening of 'Lakshmi Vilas,' we need not be concerned about its popularity" said Muthu. 

"A person who came from nowhere is trying to compete with us. How can we watch it passively?" asked Valliappan. 

For the first time, Muthu saw a different facet of Valliappan's personality. 

'Why is this man, who is so kind and considerate towards every one, has a rancor towards the proprietor of 'Lakshmi Vilas,' especially when his business has not been affected by the entry of 'Lakshmi Vilas?' Muthu wondered.

From that time, the Valliappan that Muthu saw was a person totally different from the one he has been working under in the past. 

Valliappan was constantly obsessed with the thought of sabotaging 'Lakshmi Vilas.' He often discussed his plans towards that end with Muthu. Though Muthu politely suggested to him that such negative approach won't be helpful, he didn't pay heed to his words.

'Lakshmi Vilas' began to face some problems. Rumours were afloat about that restaurant. 

One rumour was that the restaurant bought rotten vegetables for a cheap price and used them for cooking. There was another rumour that some people who had dined in that restaurant developed symptoms like nausea, vomiting, stomach ache etc, that they were treated in an hospital and that Kannan, the Proprietor of 'Lakshmi Vilas' met the treatment expenses but made the affected people promise that they would keep the health problems developed by them after eating in his restaurant and the treatment received by them a secret. 

Other such rumours surfaced now and then. However, the business of 'Lakshmi Vilas' did not seem to have been affected by those rumours. 

Muthu had a suspicion that Valliappan could have engineered the generation and spreading of such rumours. Whenever there was a negative news about 'Lakshmi Vilas,' Valliappan would look at Muthu and smile.To Muthu, that smile appeared similar to the smile of a child that had committed a mischievous act secretly.  

After some time, an impression began to be created in the minds of the people of that town that Valliappan, driven by a sense of business rivalry, had been causing problems to 'Lakshmi Vilas,' with the intention of besmirching the good name of the restaurant. 

This perception created a sympathy for 'Lakshmi Vilas,' and an aversion for 'Meenakshi Bhavan.'

The business of 'Lakshmi Vilas' was growing exponentially. For the first time since the inception of 'Meenakshi Bhavan,' the turnover of 'Meenakshi Bhavan' began to decline. 

"Sir! Please don't mistake me for saying this. I think you should stop thinking about 'Lakshmi Vilas' and focus on improving the business of our restaurant, which is showing a decline" Muthu told Valliappan. 

"I ddon't care if I have to close down my restaurant. I won't stop till I bring down 'Lakshmi Vilas!" said Valliappan, his voice reflecting his anger and frustration. 

After a few months, a stage was reached, when 'Meenakshi Bhavan' had to down its shutters. due to mounting losses on the one hand and the lack of patronage from customers, on the other. 

Muthu took leave of Valliappan, accepted a job in a restaurant in another town and moved there.   

After a few months, Muthu happened to meet a person, who was a resident of the town where Muthu had been working as the Manager of 'Meenakshi Bhavan'

"How is Mr. Valliappan?" Muthu asked him.

"Have you not heard the news? One day, a number of people who had dined in 'Lakshmi Vilas' suffered an attack of diarrhea and were hospitalized. The police registered a case. The investigation by the police revealed that Valliappan had bribed an employee of 'Lakshmi Vilas' and made him contaminate a dish by mixing a toxic substance. Valliappan was arrested. After a few days of incarceration, he was released on bail. He has to fight the case in the court but people say that he has no money to engage a lawyer" he said. 

'What a fall from grace for a person who was wealthy and honourable!' regretted Muthu. 

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 17
Bearing No Envy

Verse 168 (In Tamil)

azhukkARu ena oru pAvi thiruch cheRRuth
thIyuzhi uyththu vidum..

Meaning:

Envy is a damned ill that will destroy one’s wealth and consign him to a fiery inferno.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'sarOjAvin kavalai' by the same author)

Verse 169 (Soon)
Verse 167