179. Lost and Found!

"There is no interesting news. Tomorrow's paper is going to be dull" moaned Viswanathan, Editor of the daily newspaper 'News Waves.' 

"Sir! There is a news item about a passenger in a bus leaving a bag containing cash of two lakh rupees in the bus and another passenger, who found the bag, handing it over to the police. We can follow up this news" suggested Anandan, a reporter.

"These kinds of incidents happen quite often. The headlines about an honest auto rickshaw driver have become stale."

"Sir! If a passenger leaves his cash bag in an auto rickshaw, the police will be able to trace the auto rickshaw. Therefore, an auto rickshaw driver will know that if he were to take the cash, he would be caught. So, he would feel wise to take credit, by handing over the cash bag to the police. But, if a bus passenger takes the cash bag left by another passenger, he cannot be traced. There is no system to trace the people who had traveled by a particular bus. The passenger who found the cash bag could have kept the money for himself, without anyone finding about it. Therefore, his handing over the cash bag to the police is a praiseworthy act of honesty. Why can't I interview that passenger? Readers will be keenly interested in reading such interviews" said Anandan.

"Ok. Interview him. Let us see whether he has anything interesting to say" said Viswanathan, without feeling enthusiastic about the idea. 

Anandan went to the police station, collected the address of the bus passenger who had returned the bag found by him, went to his house, interviewed him and showed the interview to Viswanathan.

Dhandapani had retired from his job as an unskilled labourer in a small factory. After his retirement, he was working as a security guard in a small firm, for a modest salary.

His son, after completing his studies, had been looking for a job. His daughter, who had completed her schooling, was working in a factory as a helper. Dhandapani's wife was working as a domestic help and contributing to the family's earnings. 

In spite of three of the family members working and earning an income, the earnings were not adequate to meet the needs of the family. Dhandapai had been hoping that if his son got a job, the financial position of the family would become comfortable.

Dhandapani was traveling in a bus to his place of work, to work in the night shift. Since he had to get down only at the last stop of the bus, he was taking a nap, without the apprehension of missing his bus stop. He did not notice who was sitting next to him.

Dhandapani woke up, when the bus arrived at the destination. He noticed a small leather bag on the next seat. He opened it and saw that it contained currency notes.

Since every one, including the conductor and driver of the bus, had already got down from the bus and dispersed in various directions, Dhandapani went to the nearby police station and handed over the bag. He was consequently delayed in reporting for his duty and was reprimanded by his employer for coming late.

After going through the above narrative brought out in the interview taken by Anandan, Viswanathan said, "Nothing of interest in the story. We will publish it anyway."

The interview was published the next day in 'News Waves.'  

During the next couple of days, the newspaper received a spate of letters from its readers, appreciating Dhandapani's honesty and sense of duty and responsibility. Some readers had sent a small sum of money to the newspaper, as a token of their appreciation of Dhandapani's honesty.

Following the publication of Dhandapani's interview in 'News Waves,' several other newspapers, magazines and television channels followed up the story, by interviewing Dhandapani and his family members and coming out with stories, covering various aspects of the life of Dhandapani and his family members.

In about ten days, 'New Waves' had received a total contribution of fifty thousand rupees from its readers, by way of showing their appreciation of Dhandapani's honesty.

Anandan went to meet Dhandapani, with a cheque for fifty thousand rupees in his favour.

Dhandapani told Anandan that through him he wanted to convey his thankfulness to 'News Waves,' its readers who had sent money to the paper for presenting to him, other media and the people who appreciated his gesture but that he could not accept the cheque brought in by Anandan. 

"Sir! If I had taken the money, it would have amounted to theft. Should I receive a reward, for not committing a theft?" Dhandapani asked Anandan.

'New Waves' published Dhandapani's refusal to accept the reward and his statement on the front page of the newspaper. This brought in even more accolades to Dhandapani.

After about a week, an industrialist came forward to offer a job to Dhandapani's son.

Dhandapani accepted his offer and conveyed his gratefulness to the industrialist, 'New Waves,' other media and the members of the public, who showed their appreciation and kindness to him.

 

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 18
Not Coveting Others' Belongings

Verse 179 (In Tamil)

aRan aRindhu vehkA aRivudaiyArch chErum
thiRan aRindhu AngE thiru.

Meaning:

Wealth will find means to bestow itself on those who, knowing the virtue of not coveting others’ property, wisely desist from it.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'thavaRa vitta paNam' by the same author)

Verse 180
Verse 178