When we walk worrying that we have no shoes on our feet, and suddenly see a man with no legs before us, how does our heart find a strange comfort?
Yes the misfortune of that legless man gives our mind a small measure of relief. That is nature.
Most human emotions in this world flow along that same path.
This world is filled largely with people who act without grasping the true meaning behind their deeds who take others’ efforts and turn them into instruments of their own self-interest.
Yet I know many among you are exceptions to this.
When I say “the majority,” it should never be taken to mean everyone.
Sometimes, the way others see us may be mistaken.
They may think our patience is weakness, our silence is fear.
But in truth, the ability to restrain oneself is not a sign of weakness it is the summit of inner strength.
Those who possess that strength are the ones who have the power to change the world.
I recall a small story from one of Kaviyarasar Kannadasan’s works simple yet profound in its sweetness of Tamil. Let me share its essence briefly here.
A male and a female elephant were walking through a forest path.
Across their way, a colony of ants was crawling.
The male elephant stopped suddenly, refusing to take another step.
The female elephant too stopped, and asked, “Why did you stop?”
The male replied, “I stopped so that we don’t carelessly crush those poor ants.”
The female smiled and said, “I stopped for the same reason.”
Meanwhile, the leader of the ants turned to his group and said proudly, “Did you see our strength?
Even the elephants stopped in fear when they saw us!”
Once the ants had passed, the elephants continued their journey peacefully.
This story teaches us a great truth of life.
Not everyone will understand our good intentions as good.
Some, through their narrow vision, will misread our noble thoughts.
But that must never diminish our goodness, nor shrink our hearts.
My dear young generation,
At times, when you restrain yourselves out of love or compassion, some weak-minded people may see it as cowardice and mistake your gentleness for fear.
But the truth will shine brightly within you.
In that light, your path of progress will become ever clearer.
True strength does not lie in shouting or showing anger.
It lies in standing calmly and mastering your emotions.
You need not defeat those who provoke you if you can conquer your own inner self, the whole world will bow before you.
Here is another short story I read recently.
There was a king named Gunaseelan, who had fallen ill and lay bedridden for many days.
Every day, many dignitaries came to visit him.
One day, several noblemen brought baskets of fruits and spoke with the king.
Just then, a poor farmer pushed past the guards and stood near the king’s bed.
His disheveled hair and dusty clothes showed he had walked a long way from his village.
He said, “My lord, I offered pongal to our village goddess Mariamman, praying for your recovery.
I have brought that sacred offering for you. Please accept it. If you eat it, no illness will remain.”
When he opened the leaf bundle, a foul smell arose the food had spoiled.
The nobles covered their noses and frowned.
But the king accepted the offering, removed the pearl necklace from his neck, and gave it to the farmer as a gift.
One of the courtiers asked, “Your Majesty, a pearl necklace for spoiled pongal?”
The king replied, “Though the pongal has spoiled, that man walked for a week from his village with a pure heart, wishing only for my recovery.
His love is genuine, without deceit.
True affection is priceless even this necklace cannot equal his sincerity.”
True love never looks at outward form.
It feels only the purity of the heart.
The value of what we give lies not in its price, but in the honesty of the mind that gives it.
When that honesty exists, the whole world stands beside us.
If our love is true, even God will fold His hands and come forward to serve us.
Yes genuine love knows no status, no pride.
So move forward with courage.
You can do it.
With affection,
Sakthi Sakthithasan
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