The Philosophic Indian

Once when I handed over a bag full of broken silver jewellery to a shopkeeper and asked for it to be evaluated and sold. I added: 8220;I am trusting you not to shortchange me.8221; 8220;Don8217;t put your trust in any one but God,8221; he warned, handing over some small currency. Was he being incredibly honest?

My friend was exhausted bargaining with the Kashmiri stall owner for a shawl. She delivered the ultimatum, 8220;I know this is a good shawl but my budget is limited, so give it only if you can, beta.8221; That did it, the man8217;s eyes misted over, 8220;You8217;ve said something wonderful. In this world one can get anything but not a mother!8221; He thrust the shawl into her hands at 60 per cent the quoted price!

There is this strange ability to spout pearls of wisdom to suit an immediate need, even if it means tweaking an existing aphorism. When the Limca Book of Records felicitated both sharp shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Dr Naresh Trehan on the same platform, the doctor in his modest speech wondered what he was doing in the company of such great achievers. Rathore was next and he said in life, victory was always crucial on two occasions8212;in war and in surgery! The ace surgeon was thus reassured of his status!

However the greatest gem, not without a tinge of pathos, was delivered years ago by my maid. She averred,8221;I always tell my employers, rather than buy me a new, cheap sari, give me one of your old ones. It will look much better and last longer8221;! The local watch repairer took one look at my assortment of fancy watches all in need of batteries and an ancient, branded Swiss watch and said, 8220;Forget these, they won8217;t last even with new batteries. Get the old one going, it8217;s made for life. Today even time has built in obsolescence!8221; His words struck a chord. He did not sell me batteries but he did build instant rapport!