Kural #490
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Tamil text
கொக்கொக்க கூம்பும் பருவத்து
மற்றதன் குத்தொக்க சீர்த்த இடத்து
Kokkokka kūmpum paruvattu
Maṟṟataṉ kuttokka cīrtta iṭattu
English translation
Be like the heron that waits patiently; and when the time comes, strike like its swift beak.
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Explanation
The heron stands motionless for long periods, then strikes with lightning speed when prey appears. This beautiful image teaches both patience and decisiveness - wait calmly, but when opportunity arrives, act swiftly and surely.
விளக்கம்
கொக்கு பொறுமையாகக் காத்திருக்கும். சரியான நேரம் வந்ததும், மின்னல் வேகத்தில் தன் இரையைத் தாக்கும். காலமறிதல் அதிகாரத்தில், இதுபோல் தக்க சமயத்தில் செயல்பட வேண்டும் என்பதே நீதி. வாய்ப்பு வரும்போது தவறவிடாமல் பயன்படுத்தணும்.
Word meanings
- கொக்குkokkuheron
- ஒக்கokkalike
- கூம்பும்kūmpumwaiting/folding
- பருவத்துparuvattuin the season
- மற்றுmaṟṟuand
- அதன்ataṉits
- குத்துkuttustrike/peck
- சீர்த்தcīrttaproper
- இடத்துiṭattuin the place/time
Story behind this kural
The old fisherman, Elango, knew the river well. He’d seen seasons come and go, watched the sun dance on the water countless times. One day, a wealthy merchant arrived, eager to catch the largest fish. He boasted of his nets and skill, casting them with a flurry of activity. Hours passed, and the merchant’s nets remained empty. Elango, however, simply sat on the bank, his single line dangling. He watched the river, the way the light shifted, the patterns of the fish. He waited patiently, like a heron. As the sun began to dip, a school of plump, silver fish swam into view. The merchant, frustrated, was packing his gear. Elango, with a single, practiced flick of his wrist, cast his line. The hook found its mark. Within moments, he had landed a magnificent fish, the largest anyone had seen that day. The merchant could only stare, humbled by the old fisherman's quiet success.