Selvan was very thrilled about the neighborhood library that was about to open in the next few days. He was looking forward to spending a lot more time in the modern library that was coming up, to learn more about the wondrous world and ways of living well.

Finally, the day arrived and Selvan went early to the 11 am library opening with a lot of anticipation. Collector Meena promptly arrived in an Ambassador car, cut the ribbon and declared the library open to public. 

With everyone seated in a small hall, Collector Meena spoke excitedly about the 20th library she was opening in the city in several poorer neighborhoods. 

She recounted a story from her days attending nearby government school many years ago. One day when she was walking home, she found a small book on the roadside which contained few brilliant Thirukkurals. She could not find who lost the book, but she found so much inspiration from the book that she became determined to do well in her life and establish libraries for poor children to give them access to such wonderful books. She thanked the unknown person who had lost the book yet again.

Tears streamed down Selvan’s cheeks as he relived the pain that he had felt decades ago when he lost his wonderful Thirukkual anthology near his school. Mixed in those tears of pain were also tears of joy that the book he lost had grown to 20 libraries in the city. 

Walking home, he quietly wondered what other things he can ‘lose’ from his life that can grow so beautifully through others over time.

—–

Inspired by: http://www.ytamizh.com/thirukural/kural-659/

பால்: பொருட்பால்.   அதிகாரம்/Chapter: வினைத்தூய்மை / Purity in Action

குறள் 659:

அழக்கொண்ட எல்லாம் அழப்போம் இழப்பினும்
பிற்பயக்கும் நற்பா லவை.

Transliteration(Tamil to English):

               azhakkoNda ellaam azhappoam izhappinum

piRpayakkum naRpaa lavai

 மு.வரதராசன் விளக்கம்: பிறர் வருந்துமாறு செய்து பெற்ற பொருள் எல்லாம் பெற்றவன் வருந்துமாறு செய்து போய்விடும், நல்வழியில் வந்தவை இழக்கப்பட்டாலும் பிறகு பயன் தரும் (What’s gained through tears with tears shall go; From loss good deeds entail harvests of blessings grow)

                                      (About the author: All too Human, Engineer, Leader, Seeker, Yoga Teacher, Ever the Student).