61. THE OLD WOMAN VANDHI. Vaigai river was flooded. An unforeseen calamity! The river banks were breached. They must be rebuilt immediately to save the city from further destruction.
The population of the city and the length of the river banks were taken into account. Each family was allotted a particular length to be repaired immediately. “One from each house!” was the slogan to collect the workers. A man came from each house, ready for the task of saving the city. People brought with them spades, baskets, bundles of hay, leaves, trees etc. The work was launched without further delay. Trees were planted along the banks.The hay was spread on the ground. Broad leaves and twigs were placed on the hay to stop erosion of the soil to be dumped there. Each one prayed with utmost sincerity that the river must come under the control of the new raised banks. Some men played the drums and a few others danced to cheer up the crowd. The work was launched earnestly. There lived an octogenarian in the south eastern part of the city. She had seen 1000 crescent moons and was a staunch devotee of Lord Siva. She lived all alone and none to call as her family. She made a living by selling the PITTU she used to cook. She would offer it to Siva before selling it to the others. Surely she could not finish her part of the job by herself. There was no one to help her. If only she could get someone work for her for a small fees…it would be perfect. But where would she find such a person? Her thoughts reached Siva. He emerged from the temple dressed as an odd-job-man. He was extremely handsome but wore dirty rags. He carried a spade, a basket and a small piece of cloth to place the basket of soil on. “Does anyone need a worker? I will work for a fees? Does any one need a helper to do any job?” The dirty handsome worker was selling his services! Vandhi was overjoyed and decided to call the dirty handsome young man! * “WHO IS HE?”* “Will you complete my part of the job?” Vandhi asked the young man. “What will you pay me with?” the man asked. “I make a living selling Pittu. I can give you as much of it as you wish to eat!” “I am already feeling very hungry. Please give me some crumpled Pittu – which you won’t be able to sell. I will eat it, rest for a while and then complete your job.” The old woman gave him all the crumbled Pittu. “It is very tasty. It is Siva’s favorite food too!” He ate without inhibitions, rested for a while and went to the bank of the river. “Note down my name as Vandhi’s helper!” He set out on the job in such a manner that it would never get completed. He would fill his basket with soil. He would throw out some of it since it was too heavy.By that time his towel would fall off from his head. He would become tired while tying it up. He would take a nap. He would be hungry when he woke up. He would go for more Pittu. While dumping the soil, he would throw the basket along with it. He would swim and go after it . He was playing and having a good time like a prince. The supervisor became very angry that the task was not completed. He demanded to know whose portion it was. Everyone pointed out to Siva. “Why is your job not completed yet?” Siva kept mum as if he were deaf. The supervisor spoke to himself! “Who is he? A siddha? A mad fellow? A cheat? Such a handsome helper! His figure and dress did not match each other. One glance at him confirms that he is not used to physical labor. He has taken his fees in advance. Who would work after claiming his fees? He just stands and stares. He does not reply to any questions. It is best to report the matter to the king and let him handle this queer fellow!” *SIVA AND THE KING.* “All the people have finished their part of the job, except Vandhi’s helper. He is very young and handsome. He behaves like a prince and has a good time in dancing, singing, running and jumping. He plays with the soil. He swims in the water. He behaves like a naughty boy. I am unable to punish him. He does not even answer my questions!” The king got annoyed by this report. He did not like the high handed behavior. He went to the spot with his ministers. Vandhi’s portion still remained unfinished. The river water had washed away the next portion also. The king raised his gold staff and brought it down on the bare back of the young man. The man jumped, dumped the soil and disappeared. He who was present in everyone in the universe got beaten by the king. So everyone felt the lick of the stick. The king, the ministers, soldiers, supervisors, the queen, the prince, boys, girls, men, women, pancha bootham, the occupants of all the fourteen worlds felt the pain of the beating and stood shaken badly. <http://groups.yahoo.com/subscribe/worldmalayaliclub/> *வாழிய செந்தமிழ்! வாழ்க நற்றமிழர்!* *வாழிய பாரதமணித் திருநாடு!* *வணக்கம்* *சுப்பு* -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
