193. Hello, Doctor!

The number of patients waiting in the clinic was more than the usual number. With the doctor running the clinic having a reputation as a physician with a healing touch and his fee being modest, his clinic always had a high footfall.   

There were mothers with their babies, elderly people and patients debilitated by their illness, sitting in the hall, waiting for their turn.

Sundaram entered the doctor's room, when his turn came. Having consulted the doctor several times in the past for his health problems, as well as those of his family members, he ha some acquaintance with the doctor. However, the doctor did not encourage personal relationships with his patients.

The doctor diagnosed that Sundaram was having a mild fever and prescribed medicines for it. The consultation got over in a couple of minutes. 

But, Sundaram did not come out of the doctor's room immediately. He started chatting with the doctor on a few general topics. He asked the doctor whether he was affected by the frequent power outages in that area. The doctor answered him that since his clinic was equipped with an inverter, he was able to manage.

"You are running a clinic, doctor. So, you are able to generate enough revenue to afford an inverter. What will ordinary people like me do?" asked Sundaram.

"It is a problem, of course" said the doctor, looking at his watch. Though he would have liked to respond, "You have been earning a good salary. You should be able to afford an inverter too!" he didn't want to prolong the conversation.

Sundaram then began to talk about other topics.

The doctor was patient for five more minutes. He then told Sundaram politely, "A number o patients are waiting outside. We can have a conversation some other time."

"Yes, of course" said Sundaram, getting up from his seat. But without moving away, he said, "Doctor! Yesterday, I heard the Amman temple announce in a loudspeaker the names of people who had donated for the upcoming temple festival. I heard your name too. You seem to have donated one thousand rupees!"

"Yes" said the doctor, looking at his watch again. But, Sundaram continued to talk about the arrangements being made for the temple festival, even as he was walking towards the door. After opening the door partially, Sundaram stood there and continued to speak to the doctor for a couple of minutes more.

The patient, who was the next to see the doctor, stood near the door. But, Sundaram was talking to the doctor, blocking the entrance.

At last, he stepped out.

A young man sitting in the waiting room called Sundaram "Sir, one minute, please!"

When Sundaram went near him, he said, "Sir! A number of people suffering from health problems have been sitting here, waiting to see the doctor. Some who are seriously ill, have been suffering the strain and discomfort of sitting and waiting for a long time. There are mothers with small babies. People who went in to see the doctor before you, came out in a couple of minutes. But you were sitting in the doctor's room for about fifteen minutes. Even as you were coming out of the doctor's room, you were blocking the way for the next patient and talking to the doctor for some more time, standing at the door step. You don't even appear to be quite ill. You have made all of us suffer, by chatting with the doctor for several minutes. Is this fair?"

Sundaram stared at him angrily and left. As he was passing by the patients waiting there, he met the angry gazes of people who had been waiting patiently, bearing the discomfort and suffering of sitting for a long time. Some children conveyed their protest to him through their loud  cries.

Thirukkural

Section 1
The Path of Virtue

Chapter 20
Avoiding Vain Speech

Verse 193 (In Tamil)

nayan ila enbadhu sollum payan ila
pAriththu uraikkum urai.

Meaning:

One’s gracelessness is exposed by one's elaborate hollow speeches.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'hello doctor!' by the same author)

Verse (194)
Verse 192