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| Sunday, 20 March 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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A suitable partner Sunday parable by Sunanda Mahendra "You have reached marriageable age now, as such I am in search of a suitable partner for you" said the farmer, calling his only daughter to his side. She was good looking, hard working and above all obedient.
The farmer's daughter, watched her father selecting a suitable partner. One young man who came from a distant place wanted to see the farmer. The farmer, in the meantime made enquires about the young man and came to know that he was a rich farmer's only son. He was handsome and showed that he could do any work connected with cultivation "I thank you for coming to see us," said the farmer greeting the young man "but you have to undergo a small test." "I don't mind undergoing any test", said the young man, rather boisterously. "So please listen to me carefully. There is a tampala plant in my land, over there, cut it and bring it to me as soon as possible." The young man was wondering as to why he should cut a tampala plant, for it was a common herbal plant and was usually cooked. The young man borrowed a knife and went into the field and cut a tampala plant without much delay and placed it on the floor saying, "here is a tampala plant". Then he laughed and stood still anticipating an answer. Though the farmer, disliked the manner in which the young man acted he did not utter a word. Taking things light heartedly the farmer kindly said "You may now go my son, and come later, as I have to decide what I should do". The young man thought the farmer was crazy and went off thinking that the daughter of this kind of a father ought to be bad. The farmer's daughter saw what happened and thought that the young man, though handsome, did not meet with the requirements of the family. "I am sure he is not a fitting partner for you", said the farmer. "I agree with you dear father," said the daughter. Then came another young man, also from a remote place. He was not so handsome, but well dressed and rather talkative. "Is this the house of the farmer who is trying to find a suitable partner for his daughter?" he asked with a smile. "Yes this is the house," said the farmer. The young man was so talkative that the farmer knew that he was not the type who would want to work in a farmhouse, to carry on the day to day duties. Once again the tampala plant test was conducted. Instead of bringing one tampala plant, the young man brought a whole bunch of plants. An act the farmer thought foolish and unwanted. The farmer discerned it as a crude act on the part of the young man "I did not ask you to bring a bunch of tampala plants I just wanted one plant," said the farmer. The young man, showed his anger, which added insult to injury. "Next time when I come, I will bring a sack full of tampala", said the young man on leaving the farmhouse. The farmer kept quiet, with a smile on his face "That is not the husband for me anyway" thought the daughter. In this manner several young men failed the test. Then one morning, a well-mannered young man, who did not ask any questions came and waited until the farmer made enquiries about him "Have you come to see my daughter?" asked the farmer "Is it possible to see her?" asked the young man. The farmer imagined that this young man was quite different to the others. He was taking everything light-heartedly "I am thirsty, I must drink some water," he said walking towards the well. Then he drew water and drank a little, washed his face, just like a family member and then came back to the farmhouse. Then came the time for the tampala plant test. The young man wore clothes that were suitable for work. He kept the clothes that he had worn on a branch of a tree and looked around. Then got the knife sharpened on a stone and walked to the farmyard. He cut a tampala plant and brought it to the farmer. Then he placed it on a round table as if it was a sacred plant. Then he came out and looked skywards and declared "Isn't it a good day for us, as farmers to do some work in the field." The farmer was happy to hear these words, as they were the words that should come from a farmer. "Are you not tired my boy?" asked the farmer "Oh, I don't have any idea of what it means, for I am used to hard work in the field and believe only in working from dawn till dusk, for we farmers have to tire ourselves in order to get a good harvest." Then the farmer wanted to go to the field with the young farmer who had visited him. He called his daughter, so that the young man could have a glimpse of her. "See that you prepare meals for this young man as well, and bring it to the field." The feeling of happiness, within the daughter knew no bounds, and she prepared the meals in the best possible manner, while the father and the young man, were away in the field toiling. Towards midday, the daughter packed the meals in a wicker box and kept it on her head and walked to the field. The farmer was happy to see the young man engaged in work. He was a skilful worker. While working together, the farmer made inquiries about the young man's lineage and got to know, that he was a descendent of a hard working farmer family. When the meals were served by the daughter onto large leaves, the young man found it delicious and well cooked. He partook of half the meal and left the rest thinking as to what the daughter was going to do with it. To his surprise the daughter bundled the left-overs, separately into another leaf and carried it home. `This young man, wanted to test her as to what she would do with the remaining food. He knew that the girl adhered to the principle of 'waste not want not.' The farmer and the young man relaxed for a while. The young man was attracted by the mannerisms and the good looks of the girl. "She is going to be my wife," he thought. She waited there, until both of them left once again to the field. "Nangi, why don't you eat something?", asked the young man. "Ayya, I am not hungry and I can eat later. My pets at home are waiting for me, so I will have to feed them before I eat", she said. In the evening, when the young man was about to leave the farmhouse, the farmer asked him "Putha, are you planning to come tomorrow?" "If you don't mind, I can come tomorrow mama" he said. "I am happy to announce that I have selected you, as the best partner for my daughter." The young man bowed his head in agreement, clasped his hands in
veneration and went off thinking that the dawn will usher, in a new
delightful day. |
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"How are you going to do that father?" asked the daughter "I have sent
messages to all those who matter in my field of work, and they will come
here to talk to me. Then you can see how I will select a suitable partner
for you." 
