Kural #224
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Tamil text
இன்னாது இரக்கப் படுதல்
இரந்தவர் இன்முகம் காணும் அளவு
Iṉṉātu irakkap paṭutal
Irantavar iṉmukam kāṇum aḷavu
English translation
Being asked for alms is unpleasant only until you see the joyful face of the receiver.
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Explanation
The initial discomfort of being asked vanishes when you witness the gratitude and relief of the recipient.
விளக்கம்
இரப்பது கஷ்டம்தான். ஆனால் யாசிப்பவரின் மகிழ்ச்சியான முகத்தைப் பார்க்கும் வரைதான் அது கஷ்டம். கொடுத்த பின், அவர் முகத்தில் தெரியும் சந்தோஷம் நம் கஷ்டத்தை மறக்கடிக்கும். ஈகை அதிகாரத்தில், கொடுப்பதன் முக்கியத்துவத்தை இது காட்டுகிறது.
Word meanings
- இன்னாதுiṉṉātuunpleasant
- இரக்கப்படுதல்irakkapppaṭutalbeing begged
- இரந்தவர்irantavarone who begged
- இன்முகம்iṉmukamjoyful face
- காணும்kāṇumseeing
- அளவுaḷavuuntil/extent
Story behind this kural
The old merchant, Elias, grumbled as a beggar approached his stall in the bustling marketplace. “Spare a coin, kind sir?” the beggar pleaded, his voice raspy with hunger. Elias sighed, reaching into his pouch. He hated parting with his hard-earned money. As he placed the coin in the beggar's outstretched hand, the man’s face transformed. His eyes, clouded with despair just moments before, now shone with a light of pure joy. He offered a heartfelt smile, his cracked lips widening. “May the heavens bless you, good sir!” he exclaimed, clutching the coin tightly. Elias, startled by the man's sudden happiness, found himself smiling back. A warmth spread through him, chasing away the earlier irritation. He watched as the beggar hurried off, the coin clutched in his hand, his shoulders no longer slumped with weariness. Elias suddenly felt lighter, the weight of the day lifted. The act of giving had somehow become a gift itself.