Kural #102
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Tamil text
காலத்தி னாற்செய்த நன்றி சிறிதெனினும்
ஞாலத்தின் மாணப் பெரிது
Kālatti ṉāṟceyta naṉṟi ciṟiteṉiṉum
Ñālattiṉ māṇap peritu
English translation
A favor done at the right time, though small, is greater in value than the whole world.
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Explanation
Timing transforms value. A glass of water to a thirsty person in the desert is worth more than an ocean to someone who does not need it. This kural teaches us that help given at the critical moment, however small, exceeds all worldly wealth in worth.
விளக்கம்
சரியான நேரத்தில் செய்யும் உதவி சிறியதாயினும், அது உலகத்தை விடப் பெரியது. தேவைப்படும்போது செய்யும் உதவிதான் உண்மையான உதவி. நன்றி அறிதல் அதிகாரத்தில் இது முக்கியம்.
Word meanings
- காலத்தின்kālattiṉat the (right) time
- ஆல்ālby/through
- செய்தceytadone
- நன்றிnaṉṟifavor/good deed
- சிறிதுciṟitusmall
- எனினும்eṉiṉumeven though
- ஞாலத்தின்ñālattiṉthan the world
- மாணmāṇaexcellently
- பெரிதுperituis great
Story behind this kural
The old potter, Elara, toiled under the relentless sun, his throat parched. He had journeyed far to trade his pots. Just as he felt his strength fail, a young boy, no older than ten, approached. The boy offered Elara a small gourd filled with cool water. Elara drank deeply, the water reviving him. He looked at the boy, whose name was Arul. “Thank you, child,” he rasped, his voice hoarse. “You have saved me.” Arul simply smiled and went on his way. Later, Elara, his strength renewed, reached the market. He displayed his finest pot, a beautiful vessel adorned with intricate carvings. A wealthy merchant, known for his harsh dealings, approached. He offered a small sum, far less than the pot was worth. Elara, remembering Arul, refused. The merchant scoffed and walked away. That evening, Elara returned to the village, seeking out Arul. He gifted the boy the fine pot, explaining, "This is for the water you gave me. Its worth is more than all the riches of the market."