723. A 'Major' Embarrassment

"The person who is going to deliver the special address in the anniversary function of our association today needs no introduction. All of you know about him" said the secretary of the association.

The speaker came and stood before the mike. With some difficulty, he forced a smile on his face and began to speak. 

Within a few seconds, he began to falter. He wiped his face with his handkerchief.

Again, he forced a smile and continued his speech. Within a few seconds, he again faltered. He completed his speech in two minutes.

"Since Major Shanmugam is not feeling well, he is unable to continue his speech. He will speak in our forum, on another occasion" announced the Secretary.

Dhanraj, one among the audience, told his friend Babu, sitting next to him, "The secretary is trying to do damage control. The fact is, the Major became nervous, the moment he came and stood before the mike. He tried to control his nervousness, but he couldn't."

"I can't believe this. Major Shanmugam fought valiantly in the Kargil war and performed several heroic feats, braving a formidable situation. The government has given him several rewards, in recognition of his acts of bravery. How can such a valiant person have stage fear?" wondered Babu. 

"That is the reality. Very few people have the courage to stand in front of an audience and deliver a speech" said Dhanraj. 

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 73
Knowing Your Audience

Verse 723 (in Tamil):
pagaiyagaththuch chAvAr eLiyar ariyar
avaiyagaththu anjAdhavar.

Meaning:

Simple people, ready to die at the warfront, abound;

those who fearlessly address an audience are a rare breed.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'pAdhiyil mudindha pEchchu' by the same author.) 

Verse 724 (Soon)
Verse 722