दक्षिणी मराठी खजाना

As usual rr went for a short walk this morning. The unforgettable character could be seen handing over a tenner to a sweeper, who had some problems with his both legs and was at his job with a limp. He was told, 'You must take tea and not take the money home.'. The receiver nodded smilingly.

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As rr passed by a shop, he saw the owner opening the shutters for the day. A small girl, five or six years young was just waiting for the shop to open. She asked, 'Uncle, rendu white paper kudunga'. It was a provision shop and the owner told the girl so. 'Uncle, veray Kadai onnum thirakkallai, enakku urgentaa paper venum', she was almost in tears. Normally shop keepers don't say no or not available to the first customer of the day. 'Appadiya, irumma, varen' he went inside (shop-cum-residence). In two minutes he showed up with a dozen sheets of white paper and gave to her. She was all in smiles, extended her hand with some money. He refused to accept and said, 'parava illaimma, kaasu vendaam'. She was joyous and went.

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rr was dumbstruck that a shop keeper turning down the day's first cash receipt. rr felt he should see some cash in the cash box and asked for a pack of bun, got it and paid for it. He asked the shop keeper, 'Andha ponnukitte kaasu vendaamnu sollitteengale'. Shop keeper replied, 'Paavam Sir kuzhande, maligaik kadayile paper kidaikkaadhunnu theriyalle. Peththi paiyilendhu eduththuk koduththen. Naalaiyilendhu konjam stationery vaangi vaikkiren'.

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Humane beings.

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Reminds rr of the forties and fifties when rr had to go to Srivaanchiam provision store for dimmi paper, as they used to call demi white paper. In 1962 after taking up a P&T job at Delhi he asked for a white paper and after fifteen minutes he was given a paper weight!