Small Story 135. The Three Hour Mystery

Small Story 135 . The Three-Hour Mystery Ranjitha entered the grand gates of Croepathy Business Magnet Alawandar's palatial home. The security guard greeted her and informed her that both Sir and Madam were waiting for her in the hall. Upon entering, Alawandar greeted her warmly and asked, “What would you like to have?” Ranjitha smiled politely, “Thank you, but please tell me what happened.” Alawandar’s wife, Ranjitham, began to narrate the situation. "Our granddaughter, Nandhini, arrived last week from Sydney for her holidays. She’s a smart, intelligent, and lovable girl, and we adore her. My husband, Alawandar, loves to tell her stories, especially about his friend, your boss, OO1 Paramanand. Nandhini enjoys listening to these tales so much that she often imagines herself as an Investigation Chief. She becomes deeply absorbed in her grandpa’s storytelling." Ranjitham continued, “Today, Nandhini and our servant, Bhagyam, went to K.R. Market to buy vegetables by auto. Nandhini wanted to experience riding in an auto, and we agreed. After visiting the market, they returned home, and Nandhini had breakfast. A few minutes later, she went to the backyard, but when she came back, she disappeared. We’ve searched the house, including six rooms, but there’s no sign of her. We’re getting worried, especially since my daughter, Vasanthy, will call from Sydney any moment.” Ranjitha calmly reassured them, “Don’t worry, Madam.” Ranjitha thoughtfully asked, “This house is a magnificent palace, almost like a Maharaja’s home. The architecture is impressive. What is Nandhini studying?” Ranjitham replied, “She’s a final-year student studying psychology, and she’s very passionate about it.” Ranjitha nodded and asked, “Did she take her phone with her?” “No,” replied Alawandar, “She left it here.” “How old is she?” Ranjitha asked. “Sixteen,” whispered Alawandar. “Do you have any other rooms aside from the eight we’ve searched?” Ranjitha inquired. “Yes,” said Ranjitham, “There’s a relaxing room, but we rarely use it.” Ranjitha's mind raced as she processed the details. “Alright, please ask Bhagyam to check the relaxing room. How far is it from the hall?” “About 350 yards,” said Alawandar. “Perfect. Send Bhagyam there,” Ranjitha replied. After ten minutes, Bhagyam returned with Nandhini. Both Alawandar and Ranjitham were overjoyed and relieved to see their granddaughter. They were thrilled by Ranjitha’s brilliant deduction. Nandhini smiled at Ranjitha and exclaimed, “You’re amazing, Sister!” Ranjitha had solved the mystery by considering Nandhini’s fascination with her grandpa’s storytelling and her interest in psychology. Nandhini had simply wanted some time alone to reflect on investigation themes, losing track of time in the process. After a lovely lunch with the family, Ranjitha left, with Alawandar thanking his good friend, OO1 Paramanand, for choosing Ranjitha as the perfect person to solve the puzzle. K.Ragavan 24-1-25

Story.

Story: The Ten Rupees https://www.newindiaabroad.com/english/news/storythe-ten-rupees

Small Story 134 PharmaMagic.

Small Story 134. Pharma Magic** Prem, a 24-year-old, handsome and well-behaved young man, entered the main gate of the building for an interview with a top software company in Annanagar. He had taken the metro from Thirumangalam, and was excited about the opportunity. As he walked into the hall, the security asked for his name and informed him that his turn would be number 6. Prem sat on the neatly arranged sofa, waiting for his interview to begin. When his turn came, he entered the room, where the interview panel awaited. The person interviewing him was Shalini, a woman in her mid-thirties. She looked at his credentials and said, "Prem, you have all the qualities we need for this role. Your posting will be in Bengaluru for one year, after which you might be posted to the US or Singapore. Are you okay with that?" Prem replied, "Thank you. But if the posting is in Chennai, I will be much happier. My dad, who has health problems, needs my presence. I lost my mother when I was 12, and my dad is everything to me." Shalini, a bit surprised, responded, "I understand, but at the moment, the requirement is only for Bengaluru. I can't promise anything for Chennai, but it will take a few more months." Prem shook his head gently, "I appreciate the offer, but I cannot accept the posting in Bengaluru." Shalini suggested, "You can take your dad to Bengaluru; our package is very good." Prem replied, "No, my dad is a consultant for pharmaceutical companies. Most of his clients are here in Chennai, even though the companies are based in various locations." With that, Prem was about to leave. Shalini paused, "Wait, I have your CV. Can you write down your dad's name here? I will try my best to fulfill your request." Prem left the office and returned home. His father, Ram, was eager to hear about the interview. "How was the interview?" asked Ram. "They offered me a posting in Bengaluru, but I refused it," Prem replied. "Why?" Ram asked, surprised. "I will manage here, Dad. You know your prostate condition, and the recent scan showed higher results," Prem explained. Ram reassured him, "It will be alright in the coming days. I don’t have any pain or difficulty urinating. It’s nothing to worry about." "No, Dad," Prem insisted. "You know how important it is for me to be here with you, especially after Mum passed away. I don’t want to leave you alone." Ram listened quietly but didn't argue. "Alright, let’s hope things will be fine." The next day, Prem took Ram to see his doctor friend, Dr. Swamy, who had come from the US. After examining Ram, Dr. Swamy said, "No need to worry. There is no difficulty in passing urine. You can take a scan tomorrow, as the last one was five months ago." Both left the clinic after the consultation. Later that day, Prem received a call from Shalini. "Hello, Prem. Do you have a few minutes?" she asked. "Yes, Madam," Prem replied. "After you left last week, I discussed your case with our CEO, Ramnath. He saw your dad’s name, and told he is well-known in the pharmaceutical consultancy field. He has a lot of respect from one of our major clients and asked to take you. If you’re willing to join, we can offer you the same terms and conditions, and you can join on Friday." Prem was thrilled. "Thank you so much, Shalini!" The next day, Ram went for his scan, and the results showed a drastic improvement. His condition had returned to normal. Dr. Swamy was very pleased with the results and reassured him that there was no need for further worry. To celebrate, Prem, Ram, and Dr. Swamy went to the famous Woodlands Hotel for lunch. The next Friday, Prem joined his new job, and Shalini greeted him with a warm compliment, "We’re lucky to have you in our team, the son of the brilliant pharma consultant, Ram." Prem was overjoyed to be working in a place where his father's expertise was so well-respected. It seemed like the beginning of a wonderful new chapter for both of them. K.Ragavan 23-1-25

Small Story 133.A Bond of Love and Devotion

Small Story 133. A Bond of Love and Devotion** Vasanthy received a message from Ambujam, her present motherly figure, mentioning that she and her old buddy Shyamala had gone for dinner with her husband Ram to the popular Rameswaram Cafe and asked her to join them at 8 PM. After finishing her work, Vasanthy arrived at the cafe. The three of them were waiting for her. Vasanthy introduced Shyamala, her old friend now settled in the UK. After settling into their respective seats and ordering their dishes, Shyamala turned to Vasanthy. "I came to know through Ambujam that you made a stunning decision after Desikan, her son’s demise in that unfortunate accident. After treating them as your own parents, you decided not to marry. I was deeply touched and admired your decision," Shyamala said. Vasanthy replied, "No, aunty, my admiration is for my late friend, Desikan. He had attended a marriage with my parents, and tragically met with an accident at Udupi last year. Desikan, a devoted son, decided not to marry because he was the only child. I chose to respect him and his wishes. So, after the accident, I moved Ambujam mummy and Ram, as Desikan would have done. They became my parents now. After losing my own parents, I love them like my own. My decision not to marry is to care for them, to be there for them until their last breath." Shyamala’s eyes filled with tears. "Ambujam, my loving friend, now your loving mummy, and Ram, too, a noble soul without expectations," she whispered. Vasanthy nodded. "I am also blessed to have you as my aunt, Shyamala." Shyamala smiled, wiping her tears. "Thank you, Vasanthy, for your kind words." The four of them not only enjoyed their dinner but also cherished the deeper bond of love and devotion that had brought them together. Vasanthy felt grateful to God for bringing Desikan into her life, a colleague and a wonderful person who had deepened the connection between her and Ambujam mummy. As they parted ways, they left with contentment and happiness, knowing that the bond of love they shared would endure. K.Ragavan 22-1-25

Small Story 132.

Small Story 132. The Lesson in Kindness and Integrity** Ramaseshan, a retired postmaster known for his honesty and helpful nature, was highly respected by everyone around him. He lived a comfortable life in a posh apartment, with two accomplished daughters in the software industry and two son-in-laws who were doctors. After his retirement, his daughters insisted that he and his wife, Pankajam, stay with them—one month with Vasanthi in Jay Nagar and the next with Sowmya in Malleswaram. One day, after attending a Grahapravesam (housewarming) ceremony of a friend's daughter in the distant Anjanapura area, Ramaseshan had a unique encounter. After a sumptuous lunch and some sweet hospitality, he was dropped at a nearby metro station. He took the train to Bhanashankari and then hailed an auto-rickshaw to return home. The driver quoted a fare of 50 rupees, which was typically only 30 rupees according to the meter, but Ramaseshan agreed. As they traveled, the driver spoke warmly of his respect for senior citizens, mentioning that he also cared for his elderly father. Ramaseshan was touched by this sentiment. However, upon reaching his apartment, the driver made an astonishing demand: 250 rupees. Ramaseshan, calmly pointing out that they had initially agreed on 50 rupees, was faced with the driver's insistence. Although Ramaseshan felt the driver's greed was evident, he didn’t argue and gave him an additional 150 rupees. The next evening, the security guard informed him that the auto driver wanted to meet him. When the driver came in, his eyes filled with tears as he apologized profusely, explaining that after his father fell ill, he had been consumed with guilt over his dishonest behavior. He had realized how wrong he had been and had come to return the extra money. Ramaseshan, moved by the driver's remorse, encouraged him to keep the money for his father's medicine. He advised the driver to always treat elders with respect and to consider them as his own family. The driver, deeply grateful, promised to follow this advice in the future and left with a sense of peace, believing that God had intervened in this incident to guide him toward becoming a better person. In the end, Ramaseshan's kindness and integrity not only taught a valuable lesson to the driver but also demonstrated how small acts of honesty can lead to profound moments of self-realization. K.Ragavan 21-1-25

Tribute 853.

Tribute to Director Puttanna Kanagal 853 Today, I am going to pen a tribute to another impressive director who created a significant impact three decades ago — none other than Director Puttanna Kanagal. His contribution to cinema across all four South Indian languages—Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam—as well as Hindi, is invaluable. The top-class actors of Kannada cinema today were introduced by this stalwart. Late Vishnu Vardhan held the highest regard for this doyenne of cinema. His films, often revolving around social issues, brought a revolution in those days—this is no exaggeration. He started his career with the late veteran B.R. Pantalu and later established his own identity. Known for his directorial touch and mass appeal, his films left a lasting impression. I have seen a few of his notable works, such as Teacharamma, Sudarum Suravaliyum, Irulum Oliyum (Tamil), Nagara Haavu (Kannada), Hum Paanch, and Zahreela Insaan (Hindi), all of which are significant in their own right. His films were known for crisp dialogues, lilting music, and good cinematography—elements that became more apparent in his creations. Puttanna Kanagal’s creativity and presentation were unmatched, and no one can deny his influence. He hailed from Kanagal, a town near Konnanur in Hassan District, Karnataka. I used to pass through Kanagal when I was working in Mysore three decades ago—a beautiful place indeed. Even though this stalwart is no longer with us, his memorable movies and his smiling face remain etched in our hearts. Karnataka can never forget this gifted and talented director. Today, I am happy to pay tribute to this legend. See you next week, K. Ragavan 20-1-25

Small Story 131.A Friend's Blessing.

Small Story 131. "A Friend's Blessing"** Narain, a young man from Tenkasi, arrived at a grand bungalow in T. Nagar to meet Damodaran, a renowned writer. The security guard questioned him, asking if he had an appointment. Narain replied that he was his friend Desikan's son , and though he hadn't been directly invited, Desikan had sent him with a message. After a brief wait, Damodaran, who was in his 50s, came out to meet Narain. Despite his age, Damodaran looked remarkably handsome and smart. They exchanged pleasantries, and Narain shared that Desikan was not doing well. Desikan, Damodaran's well-wisher, had been diagnosed with throat cancer and had little hope from the doctors. Narain, who had studied only up to S.S.L.C., had always aspired to be a writer, a dream that had been nurtured despite their financial struggles. Narain explained that his father worked as a cook in a hotel Narain had received encouragement from Desikan to pursue his passion for writing, and with his limited education, he had won a couple of prizes for his stories in a popular magazine. However, his family’s financial difficulties had made it hard for him to continue his education or find a steady job. His father had recently stopped working due to illness, adding to the pressure on the family. Damodaran, deeply moved by the situation, recalled the time when he had left Tenkasi. Desikan had given him 500 rupees for his travel expenses to meet a director. The director, impressed by his talent, had helped him find success in the film industry. Damodaran’s success was partly due to Desikan’s generosity, and now he wanted to repay that kindness. He offered Narain a chance to work with him. Damodaran also decided to help Narain's father, offering to take him to a leading surgeon. Thanks to the miraculous treatment, Desikan was cured within three months. Desikan’s kindness had not only helped Damodaran but had now extended to Narain, who found himself on the path to becoming a great writer under Damodaran’s mentorship. Despite the tragedy that had struck Damodaran’s own life, losing his family in a fire, he continued to honor the memory of his dear friend Desikan. He took Narain under his wing, guiding him to success, just as Desikan had once helped him. The story of friendship, kindness, and mutual support became a beacon of hope, illustrating how one small act of generosity can change the course of a life forever. K.Ragavan 20-1-25