682. Choosing the Ambassador

"Three people have been shortlisted for being posted as the ambassador for an important country. After seeing the list, I have guessed who would get the job?"

"Who do you think would get it?"

"Chandramurthy."

"How can you be sure?"

"Chandramurthy is well known to the Prime Minister. When the present Prime Minister was the Finance Minister some years back, Chandramurthy was the Finance Secretary. The two had a congruous relationship at that time."

"But, the other two candidates are equally competent!"

"Al the three candidates are competent, of course. That was the reason they have been shortlisted. But I strongly believe that Chandramurthy is ahead of the other two in the race. You will see that my assessment is right, when the selection is announced!"

"But, I expect that one of the other two is likely to be selected!"

"Which of the two?"

"It could be either. Each of them has a better chance than Chandramurthy."

"Can you tell me the basis for your assessment?"

"Well. Let us look at all the three candidates. All the three are intellectuals. They are highly educated and well experienced. They are articulate in expressing their views. They show empathy and get along well with others. So, we can say all the three possess the essential qualities required of an ambassador. ButChandramurthy lacks one attribute that the other two have."

"What is that attribute?"

"My talking about this now won't be appropriate. In case Chandramurthy is selected for the post, I will accept that my understanding was wrong. If one of the other two is selected, I will know that my assessment was right. At that time, I will tell you what that attribute is." 

"The announcement is expected this evening. Once the announcement is made, I will call you."

"Hello, Congratulations! Your assessment has been proved right. Chandramurthy didn't get the post. Can you tell me the attribute that Chandramurthy does not possess?"

"I believe that an ambassador needs to possess three essential attributes. One, empathy for others. Two, a keen sense of perception. Three, speaking after weighing his words. I have observed that Chandramurthy doesn't have the third attribute. That was why I thought that the chances of his getting selected for the post of an ambassador were slim."

"How did you conclude that Chandramurthy didn't possess the attribute of weighing his words before saying something important. He had impressed me as an articulate speaker."

"He is articulate, no doubt. But, is he always discriminating in the use of words? No. You mentioned about his having been the Finance Secretary, when the present Prime Minister was the Finance Minister. On a few occasions, the statements made by Chandramurthy without proper thinking created embarrassments for the Finance Minister. The man who was the Finance Minister then and who is the Prime Minister now would not have forgotten the discomfitures suffered by him on account of the thoughtless remarks made by Chandramurthy as the Finance Secretary. As you know, even one inappropriate word uttered by an ambassador could cause embarrassment to the government. So, I thought that the Prime Minister, who had experienced the consequences of a few thoughtless remarks made by Chandramurthy in the past, won't prefer Chandramurthy for this sensitive assignment."

"Congratulations, again. Your assessment has been incisive and thorough." 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 69
The Ambassadorial Mission

Verse 682 (in Tamil):
anbu aRivu ArAyndha sol vanmai thUtharaip pArkku
inRiyamaiyAdha mUnR.

Meaning:

Love, wisdom and discriminating power of speech are three qualities essential for an envoy.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'veLi nAttu thUthat' by the same author.) 

Verse 683 (Soon)
Verse 681