Help

-Guru Prasad

‘What? You’ve no ticket? No money to pay the penalty! Travelling in a train without ticket is an offence! At the next station I’ll hand you over to the police!’ After listening to the TT, she started trembling, and her eyes became wet! She was ashamed! The eyes of the other passengers in the compartment were piercing through her!

At that time, the young man sitting on the front seat said, ‘Excuse me, Sir! She looks to be a decent girl. After buying the ticket, she says, she has lost it. OK! I’ll pay the penalty of rupees three hundred! Make the receipt for it.’ He took the money and extended it towards the TT.

One old man in the compartment quipped, ‘Girl is young and also beautiful! Why not his heart would melt! Had she been an old woman, he’d not even turn to look at her!’ The young man turned towards the old man and said, ‘Sir! You’re hundred percent right! People generally do like that only. Similar incident happened with my own sister six months ago. She was handed over to the police! She could not stomach the insult! She came home and committed suicide! I don’t want this girl to suffer like that! I’ve no such ulterior motive as you suspect!’

After this reply, the old man hanged his head low!

Daddy

-Guru Prasad

We all gathered at the house of Brother Raja! Why we gathered there is not necessary to be told separately. Let me come to the topic directly.

‘Daddy is now 80. Sense of hearing has also gone. Everything he does on the bed itself. Taking care of him in this condition is not possible for me. I don’t want to pass on this responsibility to others. Why should others suffer? We all decided daddy should be admitted into the Old Age Home. We all would pay his expenses.’ Brother Raja looked at all of us and gave his suggestive opinion.

The younger brother, Ramu, elder sister, Lakshmi, younger sister, Priya agreed with Brother Raja. Then Brother Raja asked me, ‘Oh! Raghu! What’s your opinion?’ 

‘Soon after the death of Priya, mother passed away. Daddy brought us up. He sacrificed everything for us. Our relatives insisted that he should go for the second marriage but he didn’t agree. He forgot his own personal comfort or luxury. It’s our duty that we take care of him till his last breath. We cannot be happy by sending him to the Old Age Home. Neither daddy would be happy! Won’t he feel hurt? Please listen to me. I’ll take him with me. If I find any trouble, I’ll have a nurse.’ After listening to me, all became silent.

I went inside the room to see daddy. He looked at me and smiled. His eyes welled up! The next moment the smile froze on his lips!!

Birthday

-Guru Prasad

Vasu told his wife, ‘Rani! Next week is the birthday of Waheeda! Do you’ve any idea?’

Rani smiled and replied, ‘What’s there to ask? We’ve only one daughter! We’ll have a grand birthday!’

When Vasu saw his parents’ hesitation, he said, ‘What do you look at? This is the tenth birthday of Waheeda. Daddy! This year her birthday would be celebrated not at home but at some grand hotel. We’d invite all our relatives and friends. I’ve made a budget of ten thousand rupees! What is your opinion?’ He looked towards all with anxious look!

‘No! We’ll have no such party.  On my birthday we’d get up early in the morning. We’d go to temple. Afternoon, we’d go to some orphanage and celebrate my birthday with them. And then plant ten saplings around the house!

Listening to Waheeda, all were dumb-struck!

Pain

-Guru Prasad

‘Our daughter, Punitha has run away! Run away with her lover, Suresh! She has left a letter behind!’  Raghavan opened his eyes as he heard the wailing of Geetha in the early morning. Hearing this news, his head started spinning. He felt darkness before his eyes. Last week she was talking of her love for Suresh. Raghavan rejected him! And now she had rebelled!

Raghavan could not understand where she could have gone! He didn’t like going to police! He didn’t take food for the whole day. She was his only daughter! So he had brought her up with all love! She had repaid his love this way! He was boiling over inside! More than him, his wife was shocked! She was crying since the morning!

Cell phone rang! Raghavan took it and heard! And then he sat on the sofa!

‘Who was on the phone? Was it Punitha?’ Geetha asked in exasperation, and Raghavan’s eyes became wet!

‘Your daughter......has married her lover...married Suresh in a temple. We brought her up for the past twenty-one years! She never thought of us! What people say is right that the hearts of the children are made of stone! She proved it right!’

‘Yes! You’re right! Long back when we married after running away from home, our parents too would have felt the same way............would have writhed with the same pain!’ The words of weeping Geetha were hitting Raghavan like a hammer!

Trust

Guru Prasad

The moment the servant maid, Jayothi saw the ring, an evil thought passed her mind! A thought which she never experienced so far! Drunkard daddy! Sick mummy! Five-year-old sister, and less than two-year brother! For the past two days, nothing was cooked at her home! She looked around, grabbed the ring, and knotted it into her hem! And started sweeping the room! Her heart was throbbing violently!

‘What do you say? A ring of two sovereign is missing! You’re saying it so patiently! There is nobody at home except you, myself, and Jyothi! I didn’t take that ring. So it must be the work of Jyothi! Wait! I’ll call Jyothi!’ The furious voice of Sharda fell on the ears of Jyothi in the kitchen. She was alarmed! From there she came to the bedroom.

‘Sharda! Don’t be hasty! It’s possible I might have forgotten it in the office! That girl, Jyothi has been working here for the past two years! So many times we went out leaving the house to her care! Nothing is missing from here. I have trust in that girl! She’s not of that type! I’ll keep searching! Don’t ask that girl!’

Every word of the master was piercing her heart! She placed the ring from where she took it!

Motherhood

-Guru Prasad

‘Bagayam! What injustice is this? Within three months of his marriage, he sent you and your husband to the Old Age Home!’ the neighbour, Parvathm made an ironical remark.

‘Parvatham! What you think is wrong. Both my husband and I took the decision on our own to come here. Our son or daughter-in-law didn’t send us. In fact, they didn’t like our going away. They come to see us frequently. And insist to come back to their home. But we convince them and send back.’

After listening to Bagayam, Parvatham was surprised!

After Parvatham left, husband asked, ‘Bhagayam! Why did you lie?’

‘If I tell the truth, Parvatham would be telling all the people! What’d happen to our family honour! It makes no problem if we say we came of our own accord. We should try to cover our wounds, not expose them! Whatever may happen, he’s our son! And he should always be happy!’

Raghavan enjoyed the attitude of his wife.

Appointment Order

-Guru Prasad

Happily Malar came shouting, ‘Daddy! Brother phoned. He got the appointment order. The postman brought it just now.’

Sivakami now demanded justice from her husband, ‘ For the past one year, you’ve been shouting at him that he was not going for any job. Now what do you say?’

‘Did I blame him purposely? I wanted that he should go to job without wasting time. That was my desire.’ As Gopal was saying this, Selvam came in. Malar ran to him. ‘Brother! Where’s the appointment order, give it to me.’

Selvam put on airs and looked at the daddy, mummy, and Malar.

He gave Malar a magazine and said, ’Malar! Look at page number seventy five, my short story ‘Appointment Order’ has come!’

After listening to this, all felt as if they’d lose their senses!

Till the last breath

-Vellore Ve. Ramkumar

Narasimhan opened the door as the calling bell rang. He saw his childhood friend, Santanam was standing. And he looked much worried!

‘Come in. You look much worried!’

Soon after coming in, he placed his head on Narasimhan’s shoulder and began to cry.

‘What happened?’

‘What can I say? I brought up my only child with so much of love. What justice is there! Today on the advice of his wife he is sending me to Old Age Home! Could you advise him?’

‘Me? I myself...........’ His voice could not come out!

Meanwhile, Narasimhan’s son came with a travel bag in his hand. ‘Daddy! Shall we go?’

‘I’m ready.’

‘Where are you going, Narasimhan?’

‘Uncle! Daddy is not doing well! We’re not able to take care of him. I can’t meet his medicines’ expenses also. So I’m taking him to Old Age Home.’.

‘Santanam! Whether it is only one child or many children, an old father is always a burden! They forget one thing. Today we are in the line........tomorrow.........their turn may also come! Thank God! My wife is not alive today! OK!  We’ll meet in the Old Age Home! Come soon!’ Looking towards his son, he said, ‘Let’s go!’

Santanam’s tongue went dumb! Then he realized that friendship alone last till last breath!

Girl

-Vellore Ve. Ramkumar

Since the day he admitted his wife in this hospital, Kathiravan has been watching a man in the next ward struggling between life and death. His wife and two daughters were not only making prayers but also trying their best to help him!

He asked the woman. ‘What happened to your husband? Is there no male member in your family?’

‘Because of excessive drinking, he has lost both the kidneys! I’ve two sons but they’re living separately with their wives. One son is abroad. The other one is also a drunk like his father! Now these girls are with me, sharing all my troubles! If the father dies, noboy will come to see!’

Kathiravan consoled her. Meanwhile the crying of the girls was heard! When they went in to see, he had breathed his last!

At that moment, a nurse came in search of him and said his wife had given birth to a girl-baby.

Kathirava felt troubled! Already there was a girl. Now another girl! He felt another load has been placed upon him! He didn’t like even to see the baby. He got up to go out. He passed through the ward where the mother and the daughters were wailing. There was sincere love and mourning in their wailing. What the mother said about her daughter was echoing in his ears! He turned and walked towards the ward where his wife was lying with the new born baby by her side!

Actor

-Vellore Ve. Ramkumar

‘What’s this, Shrimathi? My dear wife! Suddenly you’re asking for a divorce! I keep you happy in every way!’ the industrialist, Thiagu asked. ‘The super-hit director, Kamalesh who introduced me into films is making a film with the superstar Samraj. This would be the highest budget film of India. He thinks I’d be the most suitable to pair with him!’ ‘When we had our love marriage, you promised you’d never work in films again. Even if you’ve decided to act in films, asking for divorce is meaningless!’ ‘Why don’t you understand? People worship me in the film world! I want to enjoy the glamour once again! So our separation is necessary!’ Thiagu tried to convince her much but she was stubborn in her insistence. Then it was decided that first she’d sign the film, and after that he’d sign the divorce papers!

In Chennai..........

Shrimathi was flabbergasted! ‘What’re you saying? I’ve to play the role of Samraj’s mother! Look! I’ve been the heroine in five films along with him!

‘Shrimathi! When a heroine marries, she loses her value! Now your weight has also increased! Face has also hardened! You’ll earn good fame as a character actress in this film! After listening to the director, Kamlesh, she said, ‘Sorry, Sir! I can’t do this.’

‘If not you, some other person will do that. It’ll make no difference. Look at the heroine of this film! She is just fifteen!’

Now she understood years count here!

With tears in her eyes, she phoned her husband to seek his forgiveness!

Large-Hearted

-Vellore Ve. Ramkumar

‘What did you say? What! You’re going to become the son-in-law of a millionaire? Then what would happen to Devaki? She is your beloved! And she is going to become a mother!’ Shankar asked Kuberan with all his anger.

‘For a middle-class man like me it’s a golden opportunity! After this marriage, she can be silenced by some giving some money. With money anything can be fixed, my friend!’

‘You call yourself a man! I’m ashamed to call you my friend!’ In angry mood, Shankar went away.

Kuberan and Kaviya got married!

The very first night...........

‘Kaviya! When I came to see you for the first time, I wanted to talk to you.’                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    ‘I too wanted to do some talking.'                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    ‘I loved one girl. Now she is pregnant! By giving some money to her......’                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          ‘OK! OK! I never thought that you’d talk so frankly!’

Kubran was surprised how such a serious issue she could ignore so easily!

‘When you are so frank, I too don’t like to conceal anything! When I was studying in France I had an affair with a guy and became pregnant! Of course I aborted! After coming to India, I had another affair and became pregnant! It was dangerous to go for abortion for the second time! So my marriage was fixed with you! I am lucky that I got a broad-minded and large-hearted husband like you!’

Kaviya kept on talking and Kuberan’s head was spinning!!!

Nylon Rope

-Vellore Ve. Ramkumar

Now I hate my life! Today my wife has used so much of abusive words against me. In anger and frustration she does not know what she is doing!

I looked towards the ceiling! Yes! Four hands of rope would do! After this she could not say anything against me!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                She talks such insulting words!  And she accuses me, ‘Why did you marry when you can’t help me!’  Wives ill-treat only the helpless husbands!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     They listen with one ear and release it with the other. And they live a comfortable life! But I am not a shameless person!

‘Do or die!’ I decided.

Honour has already been lost! When I searched for a rope I got it. It was a very strong and thick nylon rope!                                                                                                                                                                                                                         I took it and made a knot at one end. At both the ends, I placed two plastic pots in the knots I had made!                                                                                                                                                                          I hanged them on the cycle carrier and went out!

Now my wife would not accuse me on the problem of water!!

Make-Up

-Vellore Ve. Ramkumar

‘What do think of yourself? Dozens of photos I’ve shown you! You don’t like even a single girl! What kind of girl you have in mind for your wife?' Raman asked his son, Dharani with anger.

‘Daddy! You know my preference! Since my childhood I’ve not seen any face without make-up. Including my mummy and sister!                                                                                                                                                                                                           All are fashionable! Go for a girl from a village, befitting our culture! I don’t mind even if she is illiterate. Go for an ordinary girl!’

‘OK! Leave it to me. It’s time for your train. Come on!’

A few days after coming to Chennai, Manjula’s photo came. Along with it, came an invitation to come to see the girl. Dharani wrote, ‘Girl is good! There is much work at the office. So I’ll come directly to the marriage.’

The date of the marriage was fixed.

He saw Manjula on the marriage stage. She was in full make-up! Dharani felt much angry but controlled himself! After the ceremonies, he asked his daddy about it.

‘What all you wanted I had told your mummy. She herself selected the girl. But your mummy did not tell the girl anything about your likes!’

‘What! Why didn’t you tell her?’

‘Not only this! This girl is running a beauty parlour here! Your mummy did not tell this to me too! I discovered it on my own! Excuse my son!’

‘What! Beauty Parlour!’

Poster

-K. Soma Sekar

Yesterday, Suresh had the poster of Aishwaria Roy, and today Kumar has the poster of Katrina Kaif. With these posters, they have made the wrapper for their books!

The teacher, Kanadasamy got much angry!

‘What’s this? Photos of film actresses.........on school books!’

‘Muthu gave these posters, Sir!’

Teacher called Muthu and took him to task!

Muthu said weeping, ‘No Sir! My daddy pastes posters. It is his job. He gives the excess posters to me. We’re very poor, Sir! I make notebook of these posters. And write on their back. When they asked, I gave them two posters.’ He began to sob!

Kandasamy was shaken to his roots!

‘OK! Muthu! If you get Helen’s poster, give one to me!

He was hankering after her for a long time!

Advertisement

K. Soma Sekar

MD erupted like a volcano!

‘What Mr Shankar! As you said, we spent lakhs of rupees for advertisement on TV. But our product got no benefit! We could not reach the target as we planned! Send the report in two days as to what could be the real reason for this’.

Advertisement department’s manager, Shankar’s head began to spin!

When company’s sale of its product went down, an expert committee surveyed the market and decided that advertisements may be given in the TV mega serial ‘For the Brother’ since its TRP in the market was the highest.

Even after the advertisement soap’s sale could not move up!

Shankar’s house..........

‘I feel head ache get me coffee, Mummy!’

‘Wait a bit! ‘For the Brother’ serial is going on. It is an important scene now.’

Elder brother has ill intention towards the wife of his younger brother! He is moving to ravage her modesty! All the hearts are over-throbbing! Scene ended! Advertisement appeared!

‘Boy! Elder brother was just entering the room! Should the scene be ended now? OK! I’ll make coffee for you before the serial resumes.’

His mother, Parvathi left the TV and went to kitchen. Now Shankar understood the reason why the TV ad did not click!

Selection

-L. Soma Sekar

One foreign cosmetic making company wanted to open its branch in Tamil Nadu. As its launching campaign, it announced a contest of Tamil films.

One best film and one best actor were to be given awards of crores of rupees!

‘Directions’ were adjudged to be the best film! But the selection of the super actor could not be done. In this film, both Vimal and Sanjay were neck and neck in their performance!

In film circles, it was said with all evidences that Sanjay would be selected for this award! The reason for this was his role. The president of the selection committee was the erstwhile actor, Ramnath.

Imitating the style of Oscar Award ceremony, he announced in the grand hall, ‘And the award for the best actor goes to ...........Mr. Vimal!’

A wave of wonder went through the hall!

Ramnath told the MD of the company, ‘Sir! Both performed well! But Sanjay is the son of the director of the film! Very easily he breezed into the film world! On the other hand, Vimal had to struggle! From the mechanic shop to the doors of the studios! How many stumbling blocks he had to cross! This is a lesson to all the aspiring young men! We’ve to encourage him! It’s for this reason I selected him!’

Tact

The dentist, Dr. Shyam opened his new clinic. Sundar joined as a clinic assistant. He had already worked under many doctors and had clinic experience. So Dr. Shyam would always be very careful with him.

He himself suggests the medicines to the patient! Doctor thought 'Whether I am the doctor or this assistant is!'  He told him point-blank, ‘Sundar! Do only what I say!’

Sundar didn’t say anything in reply!

One afternoon............

Power had gone out. Four people came in for cleaning the teeth. When there is no electricity what could be done!

‘Sundar! There is no power. Tell the patients to come later.’

Sundar stood there. And then, he said, ‘I’ve a suggestion. We’ve opened this clinic just now. If we send them away, we’re not sure whether they’d come again or not. They may even say something against us to others.’ ‘There is no power. What could we do?’ ‘Leave this to me!’

Sundar came out. He took one bottle and went to the patients and said, ’Open your mouth.’ He trickled some drops into the mouth of each patient. ‘In another two hours all the bad stuff will come out. You come after two hours.’

All went out.

‘Doctor Sir! Because of our medicine these people will come back. Meanwhile the power will too!’

‘OK. What medicine did you drop into their mouth? I don’t know the name of any such medicine!’

Sundar said with all his humility, ‘Simple salt water!’

Reason

-L. Soma Shankar

Sumathi was a girl of common features. She cannot be called a beauty! With some make-up, she would look pretty! Complexion was also a bit subdued!

Raja came to see the girl!

Quite true to his name, he was good-looking and dignified! Like the roasted almond! He looked like a combination of all film heroes! The moment Sumathi’s mother, Lakshmi saw him, she lost her hope! Surely he’d not like the girl!

Contrary to everyone’s expectation, Raja said frankly, ‘I like the girl!’

He said to his mother in privacy, ‘I don’t like beautiful girls. The eyes of onlookers would examine each and every part of hers! This type of plain-faced girl could be taken anywhere without any worry!’

Inside the house.......Sumathi had declared her decision!

‘I don’t like such a handsome boy!’

Lakshmi who was overjoyed with the decision of the boy suddenly got startled! ‘What are you saying?’

‘I don’t want such a handsome boy! When we go out, people will make fun of us. This girl with such a handsome boy! And the eyes of the girls’ would always be on him! It may even be tempting to him! So I don’t want this relation!’

Motherhood

-K. Soma Sekar

Kamala was a bit negligent thinking that the child was playing outside! Now the child, Kakkan was missing!

Sudhakar had gone searching for the boy but didn’t return so far! Kamala felt as if she was standing on embers! At about 2 O’clock she heard Sudhakar’s bike sound.

She went out running but there was no child! In exasperation, she asked, ‘Where is the child?’

‘I had seen all places. School, playground, but he is not anywhere!’

‘Shall we make a complaint to police?’

‘Don’t hurry! I’ll go once again.’ And Sudhakar went away.

‘If you find the child, phone me immediately! Till then I’ll not take even a drop of water!’

It was 7 O'clock in the evening. Again the bike sound came!

With a bound, she leaped to the entrance. She saw the child on the pillion seat. She rushed and took him in her arms.

‘Where had you gone?’

“Daddy left me at his friend’s house this morning. Now he came to get me!’

After listening to this, Kamala burst out like a volcano!

‘What madness is this? You kept a mother so harassed! Is it justified?’

‘If I were late from a grocer’s shop by ten minutes, my would would get agonized! By sending them to Old Age Home, the justice you’ve shown is the same I’ve shown to you!!!’

Selection

-Sumathi Shanmuga Sundaram

Both the sisters, Darshinin and Harini entered the famous jewellery shop along with their husbands. After much examination they selected one necklace!

Harini wore it on her neck and saw in the mirror. ‘It’s good!’ Darshini admired it. They told the man to prepare the bill for it. Then they entered the section where chains were on display.

For about half an hour they kept on examining various chains. After selecting one chain, Darshini wore it on her neck. Harini admired it.

They paid the money and came out with the jewels.

‘For selecting the jewel for your parents’ 60th wedding anniversary, you spent so much time! Had it been yours, how much time you’d have taken?’ Harini’s husband, Suresh made fun of his wife.

‘After mummy it is we who're going to inherit them. No brother is there! So we selected according to our taste!’

Escape

-Sumathi Shanmuga Sundaram

Navaditha took the letter crammed in the pocket of Kishore and read it. It was written in it ‘Don’t look for me! I’ll come back after making my darshan!’ The whole house went topsy-turvy!

We got news that he was in the college. Daddy went away to see him there.

The moment he saw the son, he asked, ‘What was the matter? You could have told me!’

‘Next week there is a cultural program in the college. Dialogue rehearsal is going on. That’s all!’

All were satisfied.

Kishore called his elder sister, Navaditha in privacy and said, ‘I wrote that letter for you!’

‘What? But......why?’

‘This morning I overheard you talking on phone that you’re planning to elope with someone. It’s to prevent this I left my letter at such a place where it’d be easily found. When our parents could be so jolted with a fake letter, think what would happen to them if you run away! Tell them of your love affair and convince them!’

Navaditha embraced his brother, ‘Surely I’ll not take this step.’

Trial

-Sumathi Shanmuga Sundaram

His eyes fell on the purse while he was turning his auto in a half circle!

‘Oh! It had fallen without their knowledge!’ He took the purse and examined it.

Along with two notes of hundred rupees, there was a visiting card!

He went to the address.

‘Sir! Take it! By mistake it had fallen in my auto!’

‘Thanks!’ silently the young man took the purse.

After the auto driver, Divakar had gone.......

The young man talked on the cell phone.

‘Uncle! The boy we had seen for sister is very honest! As you suggested I left the purse in his auto. And very honestly he had returned it to me! You can go ahead with this relation.’

Strategy

-Sumathi Shanmuga Sundaram

His wife, Shanthi had gone to see her mother! That evening Kuderesan had to make tea himself!

He found in the kitchen the tea-dust jar was full. Sugar was also there. Then why did she ask the front-door Kavitha for sugar yesterday? Two days ago she asked Sumathi of six-numbered house for chilie powder? He found there was about a kilo of chilie powder at home!

With great difficulty he was able to control his anger. When Shanthi came next morning, he started scolding her!

‘Now your scolding is over! Or, still there is something more to be said? Don’t be hasty! You leave home for office every morning and do not know what keeps happening here! All the neighbouring women keep asking me for something or other. I used to oblige them but they’d never return what they take from me. Later, I came to know they are trying to befool me! Then I adopted this strategy! Before they ask, I make my demand! Now, when they see my face they close their door on me! And without knowing the reason you’re getting angry on me!!’

‘Yes! It was my fault!’ I confessed.

Empty Talk

---Sumathi Shanmuga Sundaram

This habit of Chitra, I don’t like! In three years of her marriage I’ve advised her so many times. But she ignores it!

Whoever comes to our home, she talks as if she knows the person for years! She’ll not cook meals in time. And will be busy solving some problem or other at somebody’s house!

Some solution for this had to be found! His friend in his office, Kumar suggested, ‘Get a TV. She’ll see the TV serials and keep on weeping but would remain at home.’

I borrowed money from the office and bought the TV. It proved to be useful. I was glad she didn’t go anywhere for her empty talk.

After one month when Kumar found me in dejected mood, he asked, ‘Shankar! What’s the matter? You look so dejected!’

‘TV has created more problems now!’

‘Why? What has happened?’

‘Previously, my wife used to go to others’ houses for her empty talk. Now all the women come to our home for their empty talk!’

Yes! If you’ve any solution for my problem, please tell me!

Responsibility

--Sumathi Shanmuga Sundaram

‘From next month you’ve to pay two thousand rupees!’ After listening to this demand of his mother, Sukumar got angry. ‘Two thousand! What for?’

‘Now your wife has come. When you’re alone, what you gave was enough. Now after the coming of your wife, you give the same amount. How is it possible to manage the home?’ Mother talked to him frankly.

‘I cannot give more than that!’

‘Then take your wife and go away. I cannot run this home!’

Sukumar pounded the ground violently with his foot and went away.

Akila came and she could not remain without asking her mother-in-law.

‘Mummy! I didn’t speak a word against you! I didn’t do a thing against your will! I cannot keep quiet when a problem rises in this family.’

‘Don’t misunderstand me, Akila! When I want to send you away, there is a reason for it. Every month he gives me one thousand rupee. And his salary is one thousand five hundred. I thought after marriage he’d stop his wasteful expenditure. But there is no change in his habit. He’ll change only where there are responsibilities on him. It is just a shock-treatment! Don’t worry. Every thing will be all right!’

When her mother-in-law said this with a smile, Akila was surprised!

Morning and Evening

-Sumathi Shanmuga Sundaram

‘Why! Why are you getting angry on the child? What kind of woman are you? Don’t leave me to read with patience even for a while!’

She was feeling angry on her husband, Kailash.

As soon as he opens his eyes, he takes the book and starts reading! What kind of person he is? Is it necessary to read book? Daughter is refusing to go to school! Doesn’t he see all these? His wife was fuming inside herself!

‘I’m busy in the kitchen! Do you hear me?’

‘Oh! You’ve been creating a hell! I could not read anything further! You must have some love for the child!’ When Kailash closed the book and got up, woife's anger also shot up!

Evening......

Daughter came home from school with a happy face. She yelled 'Mummy!’ and clasped her mom's leg. I had no anger for her. She asked her, ‘Did you eat your lunch?’ As the time passed by, her anxiety increased that her husband had not returned home so far! He came at 9 o’clock in the night and she heaved a sigh of relief!

‘I had more work at the office. So I started late!’

‘Helpless guy! The little time he gets in the morning, he reads something in it!’, she said silently to herself. The anger she had for him this morning, had completely evaporated!

Mischief

-Irenipuram Balrasiah

‘In his school diary, they have written parents should come to school. On your way to office tomorrow enquire why did they call us?’ Urmila said with all wifely decency.

Immediately, Rahul flared up!

‘If he had not done any mischief, why should they call us? Where is he?’

‘He’s gone to tuition.’

In anger he was waiting for the return of his son. Soon after the boy came, he caught his neck.

Sharath started crying and said, ‘I didn’t do any mischief!’

‘Tomorrow I’ll come to school. Had you done any mischief I’ll fleece you!’

Second day in the school.......

‘Sir! Your son abuses his classmates by calling them bitch, devil........Please reform him!’ These words of the teacher pierced the heart of Rahul.

He looked at his son, and thought in his heart, ‘Reform should happen, not of my son but of myself!’ He came out from there with his head lowered!

Account

-Irenipuram Balrasaiah

Krishnamoorthy has maintained an account of what he had spent on his son’s education since his LKG class. Whenever he looks at his wife, Pramala, she’d feel angry on him.

‘Who maintains account like this of what one spends on one's own son’s education?’ she asked angrily.

‘All parents want their son should get good education. Nobody minds the expenses. When the boy will look at these expenses, he’ll surely think that he should get a good job and make more money!’

After listening to this, she became very happy!

Crisscross Lines

-Irenipuram Balrassaiah

Vijayan, the eldest son of Bhagyam had applied primer on the walls three months ago, and wanted to paint them next month.

When Bhagyam came from market, she saw the children had made crisscross lines on the walls with green leaves. They had disfigured the whole wall by writing their names. She was much angered!

‘Vagabonds! Good-for-nothing fellows! Didn’t they get any other place to write on? Disfigured the wall so badly!’, she fumed on neighbours’ urchins.

Hearing the shouting of Bhagyam, Ramsamy came out of his room.

‘Don’t shout like this! I myself made all these cartoons ! Younger son, his wife, and children are coming tomorrow from Chennai. If the walls are too clean, they’ll not dare writing anything on them. Now they’ll be happy to draw or doodle on them!’

Paddy

-Irenipuram Balarasiah

Paddy crop was waving in the field. Birds were picking the paddy in large numbers. The farmer, Swaminathan was making a scarecrow!

He applied the soot to the mud pot and made ears, eyes, and mouth. And gave it a human shape! He stacked dry grass around it. To clothe it, he was searching for any old shirt!

All his shirts were in good condition! Helplessly he selected one shirt. Along with him, his seven-year old grand-daughter also came.

‘Grandpa! For whom you’re making this doll?’

‘Paddy is getting ready for harvest, dear! We’ll stand this doll in the middle of the field! Birds will think some person is standing there! So the birds will not come!’ He explained to her, clothing the scarecrow.

‘Grandpa! If birds come and eat the paddy, how much paddy we’ll lose? One kilo? It’ll cost fifteen rupees! To save this how much you’re wasting! Twenty rupees of mud pot.......fifty rupees of grass.......three hundred rupees of shirt. What the birds leave for us after eating is enough for us. So don’t drive away these birds, Grandpa!’

After listening to her . Swaminthan started dismantling the scarecrow!

Love

-Irenipuram Balrasaiah

The hotel owner was sitting at the cash counter. Ten-year old Subramani was standing before him with his hands folded.

‘Sir! My mother and I are in deep trouble! We’re starving! Give any job! I’ll be able to help my mother!

He looked at the boy with attention.

He was in his school-going age!

‘Boy! Many women work here in this hotel. If you want you can send your mother to work in this hotel. And I’ll admit you in some school. All your expenses I’ll bear!’

‘Sir! Without education, I’ll learn many things by experience. But I don’t want to go to school by sending her to work!’ saying this, he went away abruptly without waiting for his reply.

Old Number

-Irenipuram Balrasaiah

Dhanasekaran was using the same mobile number for the past ten years.

New schemes were coming every week. Less charge and more benefits were announced by the service provider companies in every newspaper. So many offers were there! But Dhanasekar had no interest in them.

His colleagues used to make fun of him. He’d not mind them. With a smile he would ignore them.

‘Why you don’t change the number? Why there is so much of attachment to it?’ his friend, Chandiran asked him.

With this question, Dhanasekaran’s eyes became wet!

‘When my son was in seventh standard, he chose this number for me. He knew this number by heart. Even in the middle of his sleep, he’d tell this number. One day he went away from home and didn’t come! I have a hunch one day he’ll call me on this number!’ with these words his eyes overflowed!

Praise

-Irenipuram Balrasaiah

Since Madhavan had constructed his own house, his daddy has been staying with his younger brother, Madhuvaran. Once in a month he would visit Madhavan’s house.

Whenever he comes, he’d always praise Madhuvaran. Madhavan would feel happy that his younger brother is taking proper care of daddy.

After the daddy goes back, his wife would complain, ‘Whenever your daddy comes, you give him spending money. He doesn’t praise you but always praise your younger brother!’

‘It’s true I give him money but he is staying with him,’ saying this he will silence his wife.

A scene in Madhuvaran’s house!

‘Now your daddy has returned from your elder brother’s house, for days he’ll be praising him. He lives with us but not a word of praise for us!’

‘We just feed him but brother gives him money. So he praises him. It’s not wrong!’

After listening to this stock reply, Madhuvaean’s wife would become silent.

Share

-Subhakar

Sadasivam had two daughters. The elder daughter, Akhila after completing her college studies was working in a private firm. The younger one, Shanthi was still studying in a college.

Last month when I met Sadasivam, he said he was looking for a good relation for his elder daughter.

This time when I went to see him, I felt a kind of uneasiness at his home. Sadaisvam, her wife and her younger daughter were sitting at home, and were lost in their own thoughts.”

Then Sadasivam said, ’My elder daughter fell in love with her colleague and ran away with him!’

I felt my heart wrenched! Whispered calumny of the people would be haunting him on one side, and the second daughter’s marriage prospects would also be affected on the other hand!

‘You know after retirement with my pension benefits I had made twenty-five sovereigns of jewels each for both the girls. If she had to run away, she must have gone with her share of jewels! She had taken with her the second daughter’s share too!’

I felt speechless!

Displacement

-Subhakar

For years he was familiar with that place! Without any obstruction he was moving forward to his usual place of begging. He was blind!

A harsh voice froze him.......’Look!’

‘Yes, whoooo's there......?’ there was a nameless fear in his voice! Is it police or what? Do they want to stop me from begging here, he wondered!

‘Are you blind by both the eyes?’

‘Yes.’

‘Are you the only beggar in this area?’

‘Yes.’

‘How is the income?’

‘It’s sufficient for me.’

‘Do you buy food from hotel?’

‘No. There is an old woman in the next street. She prepares for me. I pay for it.’

‘Police people don’t trouble here, do they?’

‘No. Why do you ask all these?’

‘My name is Nathan. I lost my left leg and both the arms in an accident. I was begging in a nearby area. A biggie is coming there. So the police vacated me from there. So I’ve come to beg in this area!’

Child

-Subhakar

When Radha became pregnant, her mother-in-law, Sumitra was very active in taking care of her.

First delivery was to take place at Radha’s house but Sumitra refused it saying there were no good doctors there. She admitted her into hospital ten days earlier! She didn’t want to take any risk.

That day the servant maid did not come. She was very angry that the maid had to take leave on that day! She herself did all chores. After kitchen work, she ran to the hospital.

That evening she took the maid to task!

The maid said silently, ‘Excuse me! My daughter-in-law was pregnant. She did not go to any doctor so far! Today I wanted to take her to some doctor. Even before the rickshaw came, labour pain started. She delivered at home itself! Twins!! Since morning, I’ve been serving her! That’s why I could not come. From tomorrow I’ll be regular!’

Happiness

-subhakar

The bride, Radha entered the house with his husband, Saravanan! All the guests were happy to see how courteous she was!

They said, ‘You’re lucky, Danam! You’ve got a very kind and courteous daughter-in-law!’

Dhanalakshmi was very smug, and Saravanan was happy! His mother, Dhanalakshmi was no doubt quarrelsome but not foul-mouthed!. So he wanted his wife should be accommodative! He was very proud to have such a silent and courteous wife!

First night........

When Radha entered the room with a milk-glass, he took her in his arms!

Radha wrested herself free!

‘I want to ask you a question!’

‘Yes! What question?’

‘I heard next month your mummy’s jaw operation is to take place! And after that she’ll not be able talk! Your relatives were saying that! Is it true?’

Sravanan was shocked there was happiness lurking in her tone!

Recommendation

-Subhakar

Girl was being searched for the brother-in-law of Sumathi. The broker mentioned two places. At one place, ten sovereign gold and ten thousand cash was being offered. At another place fifty-fifty was on offer.

Sumathi said to her mother-in-law, ‘They offer fifty sovereign gold and fifty thousand rupees! Girl is also good! Better go for it!’

Sumathi’s husband, Suresh wondered! Sumathi herself came here with ten sovereign gold and ten thousand cash! Without feeling any slight, she is now recommending a girl with fifty-fifty!’

He called her in privacy and praised her!

There was an ironical smile on the lips of Sumathi! ‘I came with ten sovereigns and ten thousand! That is why I am being treated like a servant maid by your mother......! Let me see how she treats her with fifty-fifty! I want to savour the helplessness of your mummy before her! That’s why I recommend her!!’

Salary

-Subhakar

Kumaresan was sitting in the bridal room.

He thought he’d have a straight talk with Vasuki about everything tonight itself. Particularly, about his salary!

Six months ago his friend, Mahesh’s marriage took place. As usual he had given his salary to his mother. His wife burst out! Next month he gave his salary to wife. And his mother exploded! The quarrel that started with regard to the salary has now reached the point of ‘you want mother or wife’! As thing should not take this turn, there should be a discussion with Vasuki.

After listening to everything, Vasuki said with all her cool, ‘What problem is there in it? As usual give your salary to your mother. She’ll manage the house. I’ve no problem.’ Kumaresn breathed with all satisfaction! Then Vasuki said further, ‘When our marriage was decided, we made all enquiries...... what was your salary....... and how much fringe benefits you have! I know all about it. Give your salary to your mummy, and your extra income to me!

Earning by the sweat of the brow

 

-Subhakar

Jayalakshmi came out of the railway station and walked towards the bus stand.

A man from behind the compound wall came out, snatched her gold chain, and ran away.

She cried, ‘Thief.....thief.....!’

Young men standing at some distance ran after the galloping thief. Some people gathered around Jayalakshmi.

It was a chain of sixty-four grams! Jayalakshmi was crying and the people were consoling her.

‘Don’t cry! You’ll get back the jewel!’

The young men who went pursing the thief returned.

‘For fear of being caught, he threw away the chain and ran away. Take this chain.’

She took her chain and thanked them.

‘I told you what we earn by the sweat of our brow never goes waste!’

It was true! Sitting by the rich lady in the train she had to talk to her for hours to befriend her! She had to put her to sleep by giving her the drugged biscuit!

Thinking of that hard work she went away from there!

Donation

-Na Ki Prasad

To celebrate the festival of the temple, the President, Shivanesan and the Secretary, Vinayagam went round to collect the donations.

Shivanesan kept inside the notebook another notebook in which the donors had written their contributions. And he took the other one! Vinayagam asked for the reason.

‘Vinayagam! When people last year wrote three or four hundred rupees as their donations, Ramalingam wrote fifty thousands to show off his position! Now in this notebook I have written forty thousand and fifty thousand against their names. Seeing these, he is sure to give us a donation of one lakh.’

‘I never thought of this. It’s a good idea!’

Both entered the room of Ramalingam.

He took the notebook and cast a cursory look at the contributions of the people.

‘Last year the collection was very poor! Now this time they are very large-hearted! Yes, good collection! My burden has been lessened’, saying this, he offered five thousand rupees!

Shivanesan and Vinayagam were left speechless!

World Cup

-Na Ki Prasad

‘Look! Our Balu never studies! Always watches cricket match! Annual exams are round the corner!’

‘It’s all right, Vasantha! I’ll warn him.’ Husband assured her but he was silent till the end of the match.

Eventually the match ended.

‘Who won?’ father asked his son.

‘Our people won the match! It’s a good match! Twenty runs in six balls! In the last over two sixer and one four.......it was a great game.....was very interesting!’

‘Oh! For somebody’s victory or defeat you wasted so much of your time! There’re only two months for your Matric exam. In this your defeat or victory will be decided!’

‘Daddy! Excuse me! I realize my mistake! Now I’ll study with all in my heart.’

Seeing the tact of her husband and her son’s reply, she was very happy!