Paid in full with a glass of milk

Many stories and anecdotes float on the internet.  They are read and forwarded to relatives and friends.  Some of them are true accounts.  Some others are partly true and some of them are totally false.  Their reliability ignored, they often make good reading.  If we go behind them a bit deeply and verify their authenticity, many new dimensions unfold.

I have received a story from three different sources over the last few months.  It is something like this......

*****

A poor boy was selling goods from door to door to earn for paying his school fees. One day when he was moving from house to house, he felt very hungry.  He had only one dime (a ten cent coin; one tenth of a Dollar) left in his pocket.  He decided to ask for a meal at the next house.  A lovely young woman opened the door.  He could not ask for a meal and instead asked for a drink of water.  The woman looked at him, thought he was hungry and went inside the kitchen.  She brought a large glass of milk.  He drank it slowly and then asked, "How much do I pay?".  "You do not owe anything.  My mother has taught me never to accept anything in return of kindness", she replied.  He thanked the pretty woman and left.  

Many years later the woman became critically ill.  The local doctors were baffled about the reasons for her illness and suggested that she be admitted to the big hospital in the city so that she could receive treatment from specialists.  A specialist visited her and attended to her over the next few months.  She recovered from her illness.  She was all along more worried about something else than her ailment. She was afraid of the fat bill she had to meet at the time of her discharge from the hospital.  She was scared when she asked for the bill on the day of discharge.  The bill was brought to her and she was advised that the bill was already paid.  The bill was signed by the attending specialist Doctor after the the words, "Paid in full with a glass of milk".

***** 

Johns Hopkins was an entrepreneur and earned substantially through his hard work. While working with his uncle in his grocery business in Baltimore, he is said to have fallen in love with his uncle's daughter Elizabeth.  In those days marriage of first cousins was not acceptable in Quakers families, a group to which he belonged.  Hence both Johns and Elizabeth never married in their life.  He used his vast wealth for the welfare of orphans, students and healthcare.  He died on christmas eve in 1873 as a childless bachelor.  He bequeathed a vast fortune of 7 million US Dollars to Philanthropy.  It was the biggest donation to charity at that time.  Many institutions with his name came up through this corpus left behind him. Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins University in Maryland are the major ones among them.

Four prominent doctors, known as "The Big Four", are credited with being the founder Professors of the Johns Hopkins University and Medical College.  They are Dr William Osler (Medicine), Dr William Halsted (Surgery), Dr William Welch (Pathology) and Dr Howard Atwood Kelly (Gynecology).  Dr Howard Kelly is hailed as the man who developed Gynecology as a specialized field in medicine.  He did pioneering research in "women only" medical problems and developed new surgical approach to cure such diseases.  He developed "Cystoscope", an instrument that has mirrors like a telescope or microscope and used in treatment of urinary tract related issues.  He is also credited as being the first for use of Radium in treatment of cancer.  He has left his indelible mark in the field of medicine.

The story of "Paid in full with a glass of milk" relates to Dr Howard Kelly.  It is said that there is a reference to this incident in his biography written by Audrey Davis.  But the details are different.  Instead of being a poor student selling goods from house to house, Kelly was from a relatively wealthy background and received generous pocket money from his family.  On one of his walking trips in Northern Pennsylvania, he stopped by a farm house for a glass of drinking water, but the young girl offered him a glass of milk.  When she was admitted to the hospital decades later, it was for no such thing as unknown serious disease.  But it is true that the doctor recognized the woman as the young girl who gave him the glass of milk several years ago.  It is also true that he paid off the bill with those famous words, "Paid in full with a glass of milk".  Over a period of time the anecdote has added additional features and grown in excitement and interest!

Paying the "Milk Girl's Bill" was not an isolated instance.  Dr Kelly is said to have treated three out of four of his patients without charges, but charging the rich patients with a fat fee. That was his way of subsidizing the poor patients.  We know of many such doctors who charge high from patients capable of paying more and treating poor patients free or with nominal fee.  May their tribe increase.

Whatever may be the additions and modifications, the story of paying the bill with a full glass of milk is really interesting and noteworthy.  This also provides us an opportunity to thank people like Johns Hopkins and Dr Howard Atwood Kelly for their service to humanity.

Competent, Incompetent and Super-Competent

Online dictionary defines "Competent" as having "suitable or sufficient skill, knowledge, experience etc. for some purpose or properly qualified". It also mentions that these (skill, knowledge or experience etc.) are adequate, but not exceptional. Anyone who is not having these qualities to the desired level is "Incompetent".  By extension, anyone having these qualities in more than adequate levels or to an exceptional degree will naturally be "super-competent". In any organization, at any given time, the workforce available for its functions comprise of all these three groups; competent, incompetent and super-competent. Most of the work is carried on by the competent segment.  Of course, the incompetent also do contribute for carrying on the work and, more importantly, sharing the salary bill.

Occupational incompetencies are visible everywhere.  Despite giving clear instructions, the end result is often against what was desired.  Frustration sets in when such instances are seen.  Dr Laurence J Peter did pioneering work in the area of study of organizations and came out with his principle called "Peter's Principle".  Raymond Hull obtained the voluminous research papers from Dr peter and they together published the result of the studies in the form of a book titled "The Peter Principle".  The book which was first published in the year 1968, has sold several million copies and is popular both for its humorous view of hierarchies as well as serious research work on management and education.  All management personnel and HR practitioners would do well to read the book.  It would either improve their efficiency or relieve their boredom by enabling them to laugh at their own systems, or both.

Dr Peter through his study of many leading organizations in diverse fields such as education institutions, military, manufacturing industries and service outlets concludes that "In a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence".  Thus, in many organizations, most of the positions are occupied by incompetent people.  They reached these levels because they were found to be competent at the previous level.  They are now unable to move to the next level because they are found incompetent here.  There is no system of demoting them to the previous level where they can be competent; they cannot be promoted because they are now incompetent!

Dr Peter explains this catch-22 situation with many examples.  A competent teacher is approved for promotion as assistant principal.  As a teacher he was responsible for teaching students.  As an assistant principal he has to deal with adults, a group of teachers.  The skills required at this level are different than those required at the previous level.  If he is found competent at that level, he will be promoted as the Principal.  As a principal he has to deal with outsiders like school board members, parental groups and community leaders. If he fails at this level, he is incompetent as a principal and will not be considered for promotion as a superintendent, the next higher level.  He continues to work as an incompetent principal because he cannot go back as a competent teacher or assistant principal.

One may feel that there are many exceptions to this rule.  We know of many incompetent persons being promoted to the next level.  This may be for various reasons; compulsion to fill the next post from among the available pool or the danger of one not promoted quitting the organization and joining the competitor.  If the promotion was due to constraints of compulsion of selecting from the available pool, it is only a pseudo-promotion. If it is the fear of the rejected joining the competitors and the damage he can do because he knows sufficient inside information, then it is not a true promotion, but only kicking upstairs!  In either of these situations, the person is only moving from a level of incompetence to a higher level of incompetence.  There could be one more reason for such promotion of the incompetent employees.  It may be because the promoting authority has himself reached his level of incompetence and cannot decide on the competency of his subordinates!  Such promotions serve another important purpose; it keeps employee morale high.  "If X himself can be promoted, I should definitely stand a chance", feel the others and thus get motivated. 

Some of the examples given by Dr Peter are indeed revealing.  A Chairman of a company was in a dilemma while choosing his CEO when the present incumbent retired.  Two candidates were in the radar and the junior of the two was the right one to fill the position. The  Chairman was afraid that the bypassed senior may quit and join the competitor.  He was with the company long enough and his joining the competitor would certainly damage the company due his knowledge of all the trade secrets. The CEO overcame this problem by promoting both of them.  The senior was personally called and told that his knowledge and long service was invaluable to the company and it deserved to be recorded for posterity.  He was given a separate office, suitable staff and sufficient funds and advised to write the history of the company from its very beginning.  He was indeed very happy and went on with his mission.  The junior actually ran the company now.  At the end of two years, the senior came up with beautiful volumes of the history of the company. The books were released on his retirement day and they are kept in the company's main office.  Of course, nobody read them, but the CEOs purpose was served.

Another executive was confronted with a similar situation.  He promoted both the competitors.  The senior incompetent  person was made "Chief Co-ordinator" and all departments were advised to send a copy of their letters and reports to the chief co-ordinator.  The junior ran the show while the senior believed that he was doing lot of important work. He was submerged in the flood of papers and information and was very busy to create any trouble. Others did not worry about him except that one copy of all letters and reports were continued to be sent to him.

Dr Samuel Peter brings out many other wonderful management terms like Pull and Push, creative incompetence and Peter's Inversion.  Pull and Push are well-known practices to earn promotions.  Perter's Inverts are those who invert means and ends relationship. "Never stand when you can sit; never walk when you can ride; never push when you can pull", he suggests. 

Dr Peter concludes his study with a delightful warning:  Organizations expect their employees to be competent, but routinely tolerate the incompetent.  It is only the super-competent that they do not like.  It is because the super-competent are a rare breed and therefore they are a threat to hierarchy.  The golden rule is that "hierarchy should be preserved at all costs".
          
Peter's principle should be read by all competent and incompetent people.  It comforts the incompetent by assuring them that they are not alone, but in fact belong to the majority.  It encourages the competent that they are the ones who are running the show.  Since all of us belong to one of these two categories, it is relevant to all of us.  In case one does not know to which category he belongs, it would help him to make up his mind about his own classification.

Do You Follow These Tenets, King Bharata?

Corporate espionage is being discussed in the media relentlessly.  So is the quality of members of cabinets and senior bureaucrats of the governments at different levels. Cabinet ministers are known for speaking out of turn on issues not related to them.  Their life styles and habits keep raising controversies. Distribution of work among the government servants is becoming a major issue. Ambassadors are said to be not up to the mark.  Armed forces and their requirements are being debated endlessly. Welfare of soldiers and officers of the forces is a big question mark. That public finances are in a big mess is not at all disputed. The only issue for arguments and counter-arguments is who is responsible for it.  The civil society is almost vertically divided about the reasons for atrocities on women.  Some hold that the women themselves are responsible for their suffering.  That appears true as well.  If there are no women in the society, there won't be any atrocities on them!  Decision making has become a forgotten art. The list can go on and on.

Was this the state of affairs in our country all the time?  Are there no principles or guidelines as to how these issues are to be resolved?  Were these concerns ever brought to focus in ancient India? What were the theories and practices used by our forefathers?  It is indeed worth dwelling on these issues.

*****

Rama has moved to the forest to start his fourteen years of "Aranyavasa".  His wife Seethe and one of the brothers, Lakshmana, have followed him.  They are living in the woods and leading the life of hermits.  Lakshmana climbs on a tree for fetching some fruits. He finds that an army is marching in the direction of their hut. He runs to his elder brother, Rama.  "It appears that Bharata is coming with an army here. Permit me to fight them.  With your grace, I will kill that entire army", he says.  Rama smiles at him.  "There is no need for any heroics, Lakshmana. You do not know your brother.  I know my brother.  Wait patiently", says Rama.  As the army nears the hut, its leader runs to Rama and falls at his feet.

Rama identifies the person at his feet with some difficulty.  It is Bharata alright, but not the way he ought to be.  He is not dressed like the king of Ayodhya.  He is just like his own mirror image (except the body color).  He has matted locks, dressed in bark robes and lying on the floor with folded hands.  Aadikavi Valmeeki says that he was like the Sun who has lost his brightness when the end of time (yugaanta) nears. Rama is moved by his appearance and approach.  He lifts Bharata and takes him in his lap, as he used to do when they both were little boys.

The first few questions asked by Rama are general and towards the welfare of the family. "How is our father, King Dashartha?  This is not the time that you should leave him behind in Ayodhya and come to see me.  How are my three mothers? How is Guru Suyagna, son of the great sage Vasishta?  Are you treating your archery teacher Sudhanva with respect? Are you holding your elders, aged teachers, doctors and other scholars with reverence?", Rama asks.

All the questions that follow and the queries that are made appear to have been written to answer each one of the questions that are raised above with reference to the happenings in our country today.

• Quality of Ministers: Are you keeping learned people, who are not easily lured by temptations as ministers?  Are they knowledgeable in interpreting their internal sentiments through external gestures? Remember, one wise man is better than a thousand stupid fools in a cabinet.  One efficient minister alone can bring greater prosperity for the King (than any number of others).  Are these ministers capable of standing up to the King in support of the ordinary subjects if the innocent subjects are harassed?

• Council of Ministers: A King's victories stem from a concealed counsel of ministers, those who can hide their thoughts within themselves.  Are these ministers incorruptible and of total integrity?

• Personal habits:  Are you not falling a prey to excessive sleep? Are you not eating good and delicious dishes alone, but sharing them with trusted friends?  

• Maintaining secrecy:  Are you ensuring that others are not able to find the details of the discussions you have with your ministers, through their enquiries or other strategies?  Are other Kings able to know your plans only after they implemented?

• Bureaucrats:  Are you assigning superior work to servants capable of doing superior work?  Is mediocre work given to mediocre ones and inferior one to inferiors in capacity to perform?  Servants should neither come too close to the master nor they should run away at his sight.

• Economy and finances: Are you implementing plans with maximum benefit, but minimum costs?  Are you properly managing food grains, money in treasury, weapons, artisans and archers?  Do you have arrangement for abundant income but minimum expenditure?

• Dispensing justice:  Does your administration and ministers dispense justice without fear or favor?  Remember, tears falling from the eyes of those who are falsely accused destroy the King.  

• Ambassadors and spies:  Are you appointing only knowledgeable men, wise and endowed with presence of mind and those who know how to speak to a point? Are you appointing teams of spies, those who do not know each other?

• Army and Defense:  Is your Army Chief cheerful, wise, valiant, courageous, well behaved and beloved by his subordinates?  Are your soldiers strong, skilled in warfare, tried and tested?  Are you honoring the courageous soldiers and respecting them?  Are you paying them properly and without delay?  When there is delay in payments, servants become corruptible and it is a great misfortune that can befall a King. Are you increasing the number of elephants and horses in the army? Also, remember not to think lightly of the enemies.

• Agriculture and animals:  Are you taking proper care and maintenance of the farmers and cattle-rearers?  Are the cattle treated without cruelty?  Are the agricultural lands well tilled and water stored properly in tanks?

• Women Protection:  Are you protecting women in your kingdom? Are there social festivities? Are you appearing before the people each day in the morning on the Highway? (Are you accessible to them?)

• Decision making:  Are you discussing important issues with three or four ministers collectively?  Later on, are you discussing secretly with each of them?  Are you contemplating on the issues of the state in the latter part of the night (early mornings) and then coming to a decision? 

*****

All the above issues directly answer the problems that our society faces today.  It is to be remembered that Rama had never been a King at this stage.  He was still of tender age, may be around 20 years.  He was not even second-in-command (Yuvaraja). Dasharatha's first attempt to make him The King brought in the step-mother Kaikeyee and all hell broke loose.  He then moved to the forest followed by his wife and one of the brothers.  Whatever knowledge he had was acquired by learning at the feet of his Gurus as well as observing his father's style of ruling the kingdom.  Bharata also had the same advantages or disadvantages.  All these questions posed here are Adikavi Valmeeki's way of communicating with the world as to how a King should act, behave and rule.

There are many such gems in our ancient literature and valuable works of other parts of the world as well. Unfortunately, our teaching in "General Management" or "Political Science" starts with the theories of 17th or 18th century scholars. They are called the fathers of management and we too believe it. 

Address and Identity

He was flying in the sky using freshly acquired wings.  The body was left behind, dead.  He was indeed conscious and aware of the flight taking him somewhere, far away.  He could see many boards displayed on the way, in the sky.  He could not read any of them as he was not familiar with the script or language used in those boards.  Finally, he saw a board written in his mother tongue.  He was thrilled to read it: "Way to Hell".  Though the board said it was way to hell, he was happy because it was the only board he could read among the scores of them.  He proceeded on the way to hell.  A strong voice thundered at him - "You are not allowed here. Go on the path of Heaven".  He shifted the path and now proceeded on the path to heaven. The delightfully decorated main door of the heaven before him was closed.  He stood and waited for it to open.  The guard's voice called out to him. 

"Who is that?"     
"I am Puttappa"
"Which Puttappa?"
"K V Puttappa"
"Who is that?"

He was astounded.  What is the arrogance of this nectar fed angel guard, he thought. Everyone knows me by that name.  How does he not know, he wondered. He tried another line now.

"I am Ku. Vem. Pu."

He should definitely know this.  The door should open now, he waited. Derisive laughter was the answer.  He went on giving further other answers to prove his identity.

"Assistant Professor"
"Professor"
"Principal"
"Vice Chancellor"
"Padma Bushana"
"Rashtra Kavi" 

"All that has no value here.  Tell me what does your heart and soul says.....", asked the guard.  He did not know what to say.  He had exhausted all his identities. He stood there blushing and thinking.  He made up his mind and tried the last identity.  

"I am Hemi's husband"  (He remembered the wife's name..... Hemavathy!)

Oh, the door opened and he entered heaven.  

He woke up from a great dream............

This is a near translation of a delightful prose-poem of KUVEMPU, one of modren Kannada's (Navodaya) foremost and well-known poets.  He was one of the earliest recipients of the "Jnanapeeth Award" and Vice-chancellor of Mysore University.

That poem was written some sixty years ago.....

***** 

There was an unusual noise on the street.  Subbajji was curious to know the reason for it. She asked her grand daughter to go and find out.  Padma returned and told her grand mother that it was a procession of someone named Appayya Deekshitar.  Subbajji was not satisfied.  She asked Padma to find out full details. Padma ran out again and returned with some more information.  

"Appaiah Deekshitar is a well known Advaita Vedanta scholar, they say.  He has traveled allover the country and defeated many stalwarts of other faiths in debate. He has written more than 100 valuable works.  Appreciating his scholarship and efforts, Vellore King Chinna Bomma Nayakkar had arranged a "Swarnabhishekam" (ritual of a person being showered with gold coins) for him. He has returned to our place after the festival in Vellore. He is being taken in the streets in a big procession.  Hence the noise"

Subbajji did not understand the details and did not understand who this Appaiah Deekshitar was.  She herself slowly walked to the door and saw the procession.  As the procession neared her house, she could identify the person being taken in procession.

"Padma, you are telling so many useless details.  I know him very well.  He is our Acchamma's husband!"  

That was more than four hundred years ago.....

*****

Narasinga Rao was a popular Kannada playwright, stage and film actor, producer and director.  His 75 stage plays have been presented on the Kannada stage many times over. He is better known through his pen name, Parvatavani.  He was invited to the wedding reception of a daughter of his long time friend who was also a writer, actor and director. Parvatavani came to the function and presented a book to the newly wed couple. He did not worry to remember the name of the boy, but knew the girl since her childhood. He wrote on the first page of the book, "With best wishes to Geetha and Geethapriya".  The book is still a prized possession with the couple.

That was forty seven years ago.....

*****

Identity being established through above methods is not a rare practice.  In discourses like "Harikathe", which is an art form of story telling in which poetry, music and even dance at times are used, the Lord in whose praise the performance takes place is often remembered from time to time. 

If it is Lord Shiva, the chant goes, "Hara Namah Parvati Pataye....  Hara Hara Mahadev" 

If it is Lord Vishnu, the chant is "Indira Ramana Govinda...... Govinda"

With these chants, identity of the Lord is established.  But with Lord Vishnu, the artiste or discourse giver does not want to take any risk.  He establishes his address as well.  The Lord may have many wives as per the incarnations he takes from time to time.  But there is only one eternal servant for the Lord: Anjaneya alias Bhajarangabali. Hence the chant is:

"Aanjaneya varada Govinda......... Govinda!"  

With these two chants together, both identity as well as address of the Lord is well established and there is no risk of wrong delivery!

The artful dodger

A General Manager of a Public Sector Undertaking retired after serving the organization for over three decades.  As per the prevailing practice, a farewell party was organized on the day of his retirement. During the meeting, many colleagues paid glorious tributes to his contributions to the organization.  All his golden qualities were recalled and remembered. Of course, many among the gathering came to know of these remarkable qualities for the first time, only on that day. General Manager himself was surprised to find that he had such great qualities.  He was garlanded profusely by the colleagues and admirers.  A big sandalwood memento was also presented amidst thunderous ovation.  Then it was  time for the General Manager to reply to the felicitation.  As he realized that he was about to make his last speech to a captive audience, he was overcome with emotions.  He thanked all those present and others who sent good wishes by mail and over phone.  He was about to conclude the speech and sit down.  It would have been indeed great had it ended that way.

One of the young subordinates got up and asked the usual question.  "Sir, please tell us the secret of your success so that we can follow the same and grow in the organization like you", he said.  General Manager had to perforce give out the secret. This was not the time to remain silent and hide the secret of success. After all, he could no longer use the formula henceforth.

"The secret of my success lies in the golden formula that I followed all along my long and distinguished career.  The formula had two dimensions.  I marked all papers calling for decisions to my superiors.  Thus I was never responsible for any wrong decisions.  All papers calling for action were marked to my subordinates without fail.  This ensured that I was never guilty of faulty implementation.  Thus I earned all my promotions on due dates as my record was unblemished.  After becoming General Manager I had to take decisions as there was none above me to pass on the buck. But I was fortunate that I became GM only six months ago.  I ensured that all papers on which decisions were required were in different stages of seeking clarifications or referred them to various committees for study and recommendations.  Now that I have retired today, my successor will deal with those issues". 

*****

Charles Dickens's famous novel "Oliver Twist" has a character by name Jack Dawkins. He is a very skilled pickpocket and tries to teach the art of picking pockets to the young Oliver Twist. He is called "Artful Dodger" in the novel. There is a general perception that hard work pays.  It is true in some cases.  But we can see many around us who have perfected the art of not working and yet make it pay for them! They have  succeeded in converting the art of not working into a science as well.  These are indeed even more artful dodgers and much more artistic and scientific than that character in the novel "Oliver Twist".

There are many wonderful methods that these artful dodgers put to use.  They have some tool or the other for each occasion and situation.  They are always cool and their blood pressure never goes up.  They keep smiling and answer all questions effortlessly and immediately.  The superiors have only one problem with them; the tasks assigned to them are never accomplished.  But the reasons and justification given by them cannot be easily wished away.  The artful dodger always has the last laugh.

*****

Some of the common tools used by them are well known:

• I have not received your letter (or mail in today's world).  Had I received, I would have immediately done it.  (He knows that you have no acknowledgement with you to dispute his statement)
• I was not there when the letter was received.  The letter was misplaced by the other person. I was helpless. (You have no way of knowing the truth)
• My internet connection was not working.  (This can happen anytime)
• The attachment sent with your mail did not open. (There is no possibility of checking the truth. Of course, he did not let you know about it)
• I replied immediately, but for some technical reason the reply bounced. (Why He did not contact by alternate means of communication?)
• I thought it was not relating to me.  (He did not seek why it was sent to him)  It does not happen to any communication that gives him some benefit or the other.
• Since no reminders were issued, I thought the project was dropped.

There are others that are used in face to face interaction:

• Raises questions at each stage when some new system is to be introduced or discussed, so that he is not included in the implementing team.
• Frames another question from each answer given in response to his earlier question.
• Shoots a question even before the earlier question is fully answered.
• Problems are shown everywhere; The introducer should feel it is a wise idea to abort the plan itself.
• He can show a number of problems in the existing system; can also show even more problems in the alternate plan equally effectively.
• Cannot take up new assignment as earlier job is half-done; He is willing to take up the new job, if the earlier job is entrusted to someone else. (Knows very well it cannot be done) 
• He does not have the required skills; but easily identifies another person who is eminently suited for the new job.
• Can easily recall someone else's name who did very well in a similar situation earlier.
• He is willing to do it gladly; but it only creates more problems for the person assigning a new job.
• Never discloses his competency and remains a back bencher; but can readily recall that competency if the place or position suits him later on.

*****

By now you have your own list with innovative ideas.  Please share them without hesitation. They may indeed be useful someday!

Two Masala Dosas, please

The frail looking short man entered the restaurant near the bus stand of the district town. He sat on a chair at the corner table and wiped the flowing sweat on his face with the long towel around his neck. The summer heat and stay outdoors since morning had made his appearance a big mess.  The dhoti and shirt he wore were indeed white when purchased from the cloth shop, but due to continuous use in the dusty fields had now turned yellowish orange.  He placed his worn out leather bag on the table and beckoned the waiter boy.  The boy moved casually with a steel tumbler of water, placed it on the table and looked at the man quizzically. "Two Masala Dosas, please" said the man.  "Where is the other person?", asked the waiter.  "There is no other person.  Both dosas are for me.  Put them in the same plate and bring it fast.  I am in a hurry to catch a bus", said the frail man. The boy had not seen anyone order two masala dosas for oneself.  He was surprised. "That would cost two Annas. Do you have the money?", derisively asked the waiter. In those days, fifty years ago (1965), sixteen Annas made a rupee. Though decimal system was introduced in 1957 and a rupee was made up of 100 "Naya Paisa", meaning new paisa, Anna was a common usage for sometime thereafter as well. "Do not worry about the money.  Do your job. Bring the Dosas fast", said the man as he moved to the wash basin in the corner of the hall to wash his face and hands. When he returned to his chair, the boy again looked at him. "Have you ordered the dosas?" asked the man.  "You have not yet shown me the two annas", said the waiter boy.

*****  

Christine Francis was the personal assistant of the owner and Managing Director of the big Hotel.  The hotel was in financial trouble and the owner was unable to get renewal of the mortgage due that week.  Many in the administrative circle of the hotel knew that the hotel may be up for sale.  The owner of a large chain of hotel was arriving that day for discussion and finalization of the purchase. Everyone of the employees, Christine and Assistant General Manager McDermott included, were tense and worried about the continuance of their own employment. On the way to lunch, Christine stopped at the AGM's office and realized that he was seized with many problems at the hotel that had cropped up all at once. One of the problems was that one of the guests was moaning heavily in his room. Having come to know that the name of the guest was Albert Wells, she recalled that he was a regular guest at the hotel.  She remembered the name specifically because during one of his earlier visits, Albert Wells had a complaint about a laundry bill of 75 cents.  He insisted that the bill did not relate to his room.  The supervisor offered to waive the charge with a view to avoid a complaint.  The guest did not accept waiver, but insisted that it be withdrawn properly and not treated as a waiver. On verification of the records, it was found that the bill actually belonged to some other room and was deleted.  Since he was a regular guest at the hotel, Christine offered to check on the guest personally.

When the room was opened with a passkey, it was found that Mr Wells was very sick and unable to breathe due to acute bronchitis. He had very little luggage and modest belongings.  The old man was shifted to this least preferred room by the front office staff to accomodate another guest as Mr Wells would not protest such a change.  The air conditioner of the room was not working properly and the guest became very sick.  Christine acted swiftly, arranged a doctor and got the guest shifted to a better room. Wen the doctor advised hospitalization, Wells did not agree and asked for a attending nurse round the clock.  The nurse was arranged, but Christine was worried about payment of the bills.  On her advice, the credit investigator of the hotel contacted the bank through which earlier payments were received. The bank informed that Mr Wells's cheques would be honored by it.

The old man invited Christine and the AGM for lunch at one of the expensive dining rooms of the hotel, as a gesture of thanking them for their prompt action and arranging for medical aid.  Christine wondered how this man could pay the heavy bill of the restaurant.  On his visits, the old man stayed in modest rooms and his bills were always small.  He was not known to spend on tips and luxuries.  She did not want to burden the host.  She found a way out by contacting the head waiter at the restaurant.  A small bill was to be presented to Mr Wells and the remaining amount to be debited to Christine's account.

*****  

"You have not yet shown me the two annas", said the waiter boy. Summer heat and hunger had made the man tense already.  This derisive comment by the boy infuriated him. "Call your manager or owner.  I want to talk to him", said the man in a high voice.  The boy was now afraid and did not know what to do.  "Dosas will be ready by now.  I will get it fast", he said.  "I do not want dosas now.  I want to talk to your owner", shouted the man. Hearing the commotion in the restaurant hall, the owner of the place came to the table.  "What is the problem, Sir?" asked the owner politely.  "I asked for two masala dosas. Your waiter boy wanted to see my two annas before ordering the dosas.  I now want to buy your hotel. Please fix a price and I am ready", he said.  Before the owner could say something else, he took out the wide belt from his dress.  The belt had many pockets  with wads of currency with them.  He placed them on the table and told the owner, "Cash is ready.  If this is not sufficient, treat this as an advance.  Fix a fair price for this place and tell me the amount.  I will be back with the remaining amount tomorrow morning to conclude the deal", thundered the frail man.

Parappa Basavannappa Patil was short and frail, but he was one of the biggest farmers of the area.  He was also a commission agent and brought the produce from other farmers and by years of hard work had built an empire.  Cotton, Chillies and pulses were his forte.  His appearance was deceptive and he never flashed his status or financial strength.  The owner of the restaurant and others present there profusely apologized and pacified him.

*****

While having lunch with the old man, Christine enquired about his profession and what he did for a living.  When he detailed his life's story, Christine suddenly realized that Mr Wells actually owned a Gold Mine and such other things.  The Assistant General Manager asked, "If you will pardon my curiosity, other things such as what?".  "I am not sure of all of it. There is a couple of newspapers, some ships, an insurance company, buildings and other bits and pieces.  I bought a food chain last year".  The head waiter presented the bill.  The old man looked at it, smiled, signed it off.  He had understood what was the reason behind the small bill. As the startled Christine and AGM stared at the old man, he smiled mischievously and said , "I wanted to tell you tomorrow.  I may as well tell you now.  I just bought this hotel." Then they realized that the old man's frequent visits to the hotel was actually to study its status and strike a deal without anyone suspecting it.

*****      

My father had been on a to a trip to North Karnataka in 1965.  He told Parappa Basavannappa Patil's story to us on his return from the trip.  Christine and Albert Well's story is a part of the famous novel "Hotel" by Arthur Hailey.  This novel was also first published in 1965.  Details differ but the central theme remains the same. In both instances, hotel staff doubted the capacity of the guest to pay the bills.  If arrogance was the underlying feeling in Patil's case, it was compassion in Albert Well's instance.

The message from both stories is simple and straight forward.  A person is not to be judged from his appearance or habits alone.  There are many who lead a simple life despite their affluence.  This also applies to knowledge and scholarship. Those with depth and profound insights may keep a low profile.  Empty vessels often make much more noise!          

Two Brothers and an Umbrella

There were two brothers in a family.  Their outlook towards life, its problems and solutions were entirely different.  Their views were often at conflict and they varied substantially. There would be frequent arguments between them about various issues that came up in day to day life. Elder brother believed in living for today and enjoy life as it comes.  Younger brother trusted in shaping one's life and plan for it.  They were fond of each other and the family ties were deep rooted. Despite their best efforts, they could not reconcile this difference in their attitude to life.

They set out from the house on their daily chores one day.  As they came out of the house, younger brother looked at the sky and said that it could rain later in the day. The elder one said that it may not rain and they need not worry about it.  Younger brother was not convinced.  He suggested that they carry an umbrella as it would prevent them from getting drenched if it really rained.  Elder brother did not appreciate the idea of carrying an umbrella.  "If you take an umbrella, you have to always think of it and take it with you wherever you go.  You have to constantly protect it and find a place to keep it when you sit, stand or move around.  It is such a big pain.  I do not want such trouble.  I want to be free wherever I go.  I am not carrying any umbrella", he declared.  The younger brother had his own argument. "Do not just think of the problem of carrying and keeping the umbrella with you. Think of the protection it gives you when it rains.  You will be miserable without an umbrella if it rains", he reasoned.

As usual they disagreed on the necessity of carrying an umbrella.  The elder brother walked away on his work without carrying an umbrella.  The younger brother went inside the house, picked his umbrella and went about his work with the umbrella in his hand.

*****  

In the previous post titled "The vicious circle" (Click on this to read it), there was a reference to life after death, re-birth and many births.  Nobody knows for sure whether there is some life after death  and whether there are re-births. There was also a mention about sharing one's material wealth with others in the society.  It also talked of credit and debit in the life's ledger and the balance one carries to the next world.  The story of the two brothers mentioned above is similar to that. Just as one does not know definitely as to whether it will rain or not, one does not know whether there is another life awaiting after death.  The society is divided into two groups just as the two brothers in the above story.  One group does not believe in rebirth and life after death.  This group believes in taking life as it comes and living for today. The other group feels that there is definitely something after death and there is bound to be rebirth.  This group does believe in leading life in a defined way so that they are able to answer The Lord when they stand before Him on the Dooms Day.  Such a belief is there among the varied religious faiths in the world. Of course, it is also true that there is a third group which does not have any time to think of either worlds, since the daily routine in the present life does not allow any time to worry about life after death.

The analogy of the "Two brothers and an umbrella" typically explains the conflict between the two groups.  The group that believes that there is no rebirth is like the brother who believes that it will not rain.  They live entirely for this life and are not worried for the future ones, as for them there is no future life.  All their actions are centered around this life; their belief leaves only this option.  For them, there is no use of doing anything for the next world which does not really exist. Whether they lead a good life or not is decided here. Chaarvaakas  (a sect that does not believe in God and rebirth) belong to this school of thinking.  "Drink Ghee (not eat Ghee) by even borrowing from others; where is the return of life when the body is burnt after death?", they ask.  Like the elder brother, there is no issue for them if it does not rain.  But if it does rain, they are exposed to hardship and get drenched.      

The second group that believes in life after the death and rebirth lives more for the future ones; their belief makes it mandatory for them to live with the eyes on future births.  They embark on a mission of safeguarding future lives that are not definite at this time.  They make many sacrifices in the present life to ensure rosy things in the indefinite future lives. Some of them are reasonable in their efforts; they do not sacrifice the present life at the altar of the future ones.  But there are others who take things too far.  They lead a miserable life presently for a wonderful anticipated future life.  Like the younger brother in the analogy story, their efforts are suitably rewarded if it really rains.  If it does not rain, all their efforts are a waste and they neither have the pleasure of leading a fine present life nor something in future as reward for the sacrifices made by them.

***** 

Which group should we choose to belong to, is the moot point.  It is a matter of personal belief and choice.  In financial terms, it is like taking insurance against a likely or unlikely risk. Probably, the key is in leading a balanced life that is neither too rigorous nor too liberal.  It appears wise to enjoy the fruits of the present life as this is definite.  There is no wisdom in sacrificing the definite present in favor of the uncertain future.  It is also fair to enjoy the fruits of the present life by sharing with others.  There is a limitation to all material wealth.  It should be used and utilized before the expiry date.  Better share them with others rather than allow them to decay with time.  There is a certain enhanced joy and pleasure in sharing what we have with others.  Sharing ensures happiness in the present life; it may also provide some insurance for the future lives, if there are any. 

Which school do you belong to?  Will it rain or not?