Monday, September 30, 2024

The compassion

 

Mahalingam was not exactly henpecked though he did not do things which his wife Gowri disapproved of. One of the things she disliked was having his aged mother with them, as he was her only son.

“Maha, it is very chill these days during nights and I keep shivering. Can you get me a woollen blanket?” his mother asked him one morning

He was reading a newspaper and his wife was cutting vegetables by his side. He made a small non-committal grunt ’hmm’ to signify he heard her but said nothing more.

Three days past she again reminded him. ” Maha, I am unable to sleep. Bangalore is colder this year than in the past. I cover myself with my old saris too but they give no relief.”

A lump passed through his throat. He knew his wife was listening to the request and her silent look spoke enough. All he could say was only,” Amma, let me see. I am busy with a lot of work in the office. Close the windows in the night. The chill air would not enter.”

The old woman kept quiet and thereafter stopped asking him.

Two weeks later Mahalingam’s brother-in-law, Dandapani who had come on a short visit asked his sister “Gowri, what are these two big bundles in the hall for?”

She said with pride “Your brother-in-law is very particular that we distribute saris and dhoties each year at the old age home during winter. We have been doing these for several years. We will be going there this evening. Why don’t you accompany us?”

Her brother replied” I am very proud of you, sister, for your compassion”

In the background, the old woman lay huddled on the mat with an old sari doing the duty of a blanket and coughing nonstop.

As Dandapani was leaving the next evening, he went near the old lady bowed before her and said as he handed over a bundle,” Mami, I am Dandapani taking leave of you. Here is a token of my affection and respect for you. This woolen blanket will make your nights very comfortable.”

Mahalingam was seen with his head bent downward and Gowri cringing in shame.

 

25 comments:

  1. Short but amazing story.. This is arguably worse than henpecked

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  2. It's a common problem in most of the household now in India.
    Janardhan N

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  3. Looks like the couple got caught in the pride and fame from their charity work. They didn’t have the compassion that they need to take care of the family members and the elderly ones at the Senior home. Sad.

    Chitra

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  4. A nice story highlighting the facade in which people live. Being responsible and accountable starts at home. Glad Dandapani is different.

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  5. Charity should necessarily begin at home -- Thangam

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  6. Very Interesting Story. Gave me a clue for my next blog post. Stay tuned.

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  7. Loved the story and its narration! Hope the old lady will not be ignored hereafter. Dandapani should visit often:)

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  8. Pl. include my name in my comment...this maradhimanni forgot:)

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  9. It doesn’t make sense to help others in a situation where your own family is in desperate need of help. At charity that compromises the happiness of your own family, is useless. First, tend for your own family then look for helping others. " Charity begins at home"-- Proverb probably might have derived of such a situation. Loved the story.

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  10. So true of what happens in many homes even now… they forget charity begins at home… Rama Sampath Kumar

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  11. Service to old age dependent parents is nothing but moral obligation or bounden duty. This in no way should be equated with charity or DAAN. It is at best an attempt to repay the DEBT which otherwise cannot be repaid even with all great services of a lifetime. Those who avoid performing their bounden duties are only accumulating their fruits of actions to be enjoyed in due course.

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  12. Truly reflecting reality in today's world. People forget what goes around comes around and act invincible. :)

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  13. Unfortunate truth in many houses. Regards - Mahesh

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  14. Not charity but publicity is more important. Pkr

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  15. Humans have deteriorated in values in general. I would love to see such sons break free from their shackles and do their best for their parents, no meaning if they boast of after death rituals performed as a show off to society.
    Love the way you keep your passion to write intact, God bless! / padmaja

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  16. Very nice. Ramakrishnan

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  17. We are, the way we have been made by the Almighty. Then, who are we to pass any value judgments on others!

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  18. Very beautiful story, so well written. We, full of faults ourselves, cannot judge anyone, but such gems open windows inside our minds. Life is all about introspecting and evolving into a more empathetic person each day. Harini Kapoor

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  19. This is life. Being assertive, even with one's wife, requires courage, which Mahalingam lacked, though he likely cringed inside as it concerned his mother! KP Sir
    highlighted this in a brief incident!

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  20. In this story ' Charity does not begin at home' !

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  21. A poignant story! — Deepak Raghavan

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  22. Sad behavior, shameful 🙏

    srikanth

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  23. Unfortunate but often real and most sad situation. I'm glad that you gave a happy ending. God is good, all the time. I like to hold on to that. Moreover, I hate sad stories.😊

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