Sweet and Savouries- Life Lesson

 

Sweet and Savouries- Life Lesson

 

Kumaran and Mack are engineers in a German company based in Tamil Nadu. Kumaran is a Tamilian who was educated and brought up in Chennai. Mack is a German National who has been deputed for installing heavy machinery in the Chennai plant.

One of their colleagues invited Kumaran and Mack for a Sunday lunch, which will be served in Banana Leaf as per Mack’s request.

Kumaran and Mack were travelling to their colleague’s place in a cab, and Mack asked Kumaran, “What is the significance of serving lunch in a banana leaf?”

Kumaran said, “Mack, I will share a blog link to your WhatsApp number; just invest a few minutes to understand the significance of serving food in the banana leaf”.

Mack opened his WhatsApp and started following the link-

https://narenthemotivator.blogspot.com/2020/05/lessonsfrom-serving-food-once-european.html

 

After reading the article, Mack said, “It is sumptuous, hygienic and philosophical to eat in a Banana Leaf; your culture is both scientific and humane in nature”.

Mack looked at a cover and asked Kumaran, “I saw you stop to buy some eatables; for whom is this?”.

Kumaran said, “Mack, it is for our Colleague Vivek, who has invited us for lunch.

Mack pointed to the cover and asked, “Is there any cultural reason behind giving these edibles?”

Kumaran said, “Yes, Mack, it has cultural and Philosophical reasons too”.

With a smile, Mack asked, “Are you going to send me one more link to understand the reason behind it?”.

Kumaran said, “No, Mack, I will explain it.”

Mack: “Whenever we visit a friend, relative, etc., we have the habit of buying sweets and savouries or fruits depending on whom we visit. By giving them such items, we express our love and gratitude; this is a part of our culture.”

Mack: “Now let me explain the philosophical side of giving sweets and savouries; we give sweets as a symbol of exchanging happiness and savouries to communicate that we will support you during your challenging times”.

Mack interrupted and said, “I can understand the logic behind sweets, but not the savouries”.

Kumaran said, “Life is a mixture of happiness and challenges; sweets represent happiness, and savouries represent challenges. A relationship lasts when we are willing to be together during happy and challenging times. Happiness doubles when it is shared, and challenges are reduced when it is shared. Hence, we carry both sweets and savouries.”

Mack said, “Kumaran, can you stop near a sweet shop so I can also buy some sweets and savouries for Vivek?”.

Kumaran said, “Let me check the nearbuy APP to find a good sweet and savouries shop”.

Mack said, “Kumaran, you are deeply connected with your culture at one end and technically sound in using technology to your advantage”.

Kumaran said, “Mack, a tree is solid when its roots are deeply penetrated, and a building is very strong when its foundation is strong. Culture is like the roots and foundation on which a Nation is built and humanity is guided. Since we have a culture with a scientific bent of mind, we can quickly learn modern science & technology”.

Mack said, “You are right, Kumaran. Once we know more about many cultures, we can adopt and appreciate each other’s culture.”

Kumaran said, “Yes, we need to do what you said”.

Kumaran peeped outside, told the cab driver to stop the car to the left, and settled the bill. Vivek was standing out to receive both Mack and Kumaran.

Vivek,” Welcome, Mack, to my sweet little home.”

Mack said, “Thank you, Vivek, for inviting me to explore the banana leaf and here is my small gift for you and your family”.

Vivek said, “Thank you, it’s so kind of you. How was your long journey to the outskirts of the city?”

Mack said, “It was a cultural and philosophical tour”.

Vivek was puzzled and looked at Kumaran.

Kumaran said, “Machi adhu sweet karam matter, I will talk to you later.

All three entered the house, and Mack saw a poster which read,

Mack said, “Vivek, that is a sensible quote”.

Vivek said, “There are many such quotes at home; my dad admired Friedrich Nietzsche, Subash Chandra Bose, Karl Mark, Periyar and many more.

Mack said, You Indians respect your culture and have regard for radical thinkers, too.

Written by: M.L. Narendra Kumar