Feeling like a worm...

Hi all,

As a young 20 something woman I was once travelling alone from Coimbatore to Chennai. All my co-passengers in the train were men. When the train halted at Salem, a tall, dark and well-built man who resembled a wrestler got in and asked me to move out of my seat saying that some swamiji was boarding the train, his seat was next to mine and he would not sit near a woman. His voice, his stern look and his build made me speechless. I had a reserved seat and I did not have the courage to tell him that. I meekly vacated my seat, very much like the worm that Cheeniya Sir mentioned about and stood watching the others. A small malayalee man who was sitting near by offered some place for me where I sat through the rest of my journey still shaken by the big pailwaan.

It was not a harmful incident, but I still wonder how some people take law into their own hands and dare to do that in public places.

Regards,
Nivedi

 

hello

புழுவாய் நெளியவேண்டாம்
puzhuvaai neliyavendaam
இன்று எல்லோரும் புழுவே
indru ellorum puzhuve

நெரிசலில் சிக்கி அழியாதிருக்க
nerisalil chikki azhiyaathirukka
ஒதுங்கி போவது இயல்பு
othungi povathu iyalbu
கொத்திக் கொண்டு போய்விடும்
kothi kondu poyvidum
...பறவை paravai
புழுவாய் இருந்தால்
puzhuvaai irunthaal
இலையினுள் மரத்தின் பட்டையிலும்
ilayinul marathin pattayilum
சுவற்றிலும் சில காலம் ஓய்வெடுத்து
suvatrilum sila kaalam oyveduthu
அவதாரம் எடுப்போம்
avathaaram eduppom
தட்டி கேட்கும் தயிரியத்துடன்
thatti ketkum thayiriyathudan


sathya

 

Dear Cheeniya Sir,

I decided to read your earlier posts and I landed up here. I totally agree with you. I feel shame I have kept mum at some occasions that kindle our anger. We should plant the words "routhiram pazhagu" in the minds of young generation unlike what we are taught to stay away from bad people.

A very thought provoking post from you sir:bowdown

 

Dear Cheeniya sir,

Thanks for that thoughtful reply. Like most of the tamilians say, I adore bharathiyar. His "pudhiya aathichoodi" exhausts all the guidelines to ponder in leading a meaningful life,

But my favourite one is "maenmai paduvaai manamae" in vinayagar agaval.
Particularly these few lines

'அச்சமில்லை, அமுங்குதல் இல்லை, நடுங்குதல் இல்லை, நாணுதல் இல்லை, பாவம் இல்லை, பதுங்குதல் இல்லை.

எது நேரினும் இடர்ப்பட மாட்டோம்; அண்டம் சிதறினால் அஞ்சமாட்டோம்; கடல் பொங்கி எழுந்தால் கலங்கமாட்டோம்; யார்க்கும் அஞ்சோம்; எதற்கும் அஞ்சோம்; எங்கும் அஞ்சோம்; எப்பொழுதும் அஞ்சோம்.

But even the great poet is unable to sow the seeds of "courage" in my mind sometimes

 

Dear Sri:

I was very busy for the last few days and couldn't make it here. As always, I look forward to reading your posts and the one I read now told me once again how much I have learned from you.

This was a truly moving piece and made me wonder if the worms are not the creatures which keep the world moving. I am almost sure that the majority of humanity consists of worms and not maggots, one of whom you described so clearly. Possibly your final conclusion is only half correct though. To have maintained a distance from the maggots was not such a bad idea after all. You could have turned into one otherwise. Won't you rather be a knee-less worm than a stinking maggot?

It is hard to believe that people can be so cruel, but truth is stranger than fiction, isn't it? I have come across such people too and they arrive in different forms and shapes. You reminded me of a scene from prehistory, when I had gone to a Bata Shoe Store to buy a pair of shoes for my little son. Fate had decreed that I was not in a position to purchase anything expensive for him and yet it was Puja time. As you know, Calcutta goes crazy during those four days. All the children get new clothes and shoes.

I entered the store and hoped they would show us the sort that we could afford. However, one look at the way we were dressed told the sales personnel that we belonged to the worm class. The maggots received all the attention and we waited and waited. And all through, my 4-5 year old child kept on begging the salesmen to show him a shoe he could buy. The humiliation has lived with me, even though God has ensured that I am no longer treated that way. But then, who knows, things can change in a moment's notice!

Also, indeed, haven't I begged here at IL too? "Please, please write a comment for the post I worked so hard over," I had almost wailed. "Just a single line please, saying that you have read me." But few heard me. You happened to be one of the few worms who did. Even beggars give up and move on though. So, I went begging elsewhere. Perhaps there will be a worm or two who'll notice me as the traffic keeps flying past.

However, I must admit that even beggars can find happiness. I feel happy when I come back here and write comments for others. Hopefully the writers notice my comment and feel happy. It's possible that they go unnoticed.

Yet, I feel content. As I am so fond of quoting a Japanese haiku (a classic in fact, by Issa):

Just simply alive,
Both of us, I
And the poppy.

Surely you never asked the old man in your post if he wished to live on. Probably no one wants to die.

Best.

oj

P.S. Incidentally, my Yahoo account has been repaired by the Yahoo Customer Service.

 

dear cheeniya sir,

I was shocked that there could be youngsters who behaved like this.So, movies do not really exaggerate the torture scenes.But, I too would have behaved exactly in the same way as you did.If it is a child or an old person I cannot go about my work ignoring them... but will surely do my bit by offering a few consoling words,buying them a meal and then probably have a good cry at home while narrating the incident. But i do lack the pluck and initiative to give such people the thrashing they deserve......probably I have given up on the world . just do whatever I can seems to be my motto.