True stories - 3Grandpa chronicles
Muthassan loved watching sports. He thought of soccer as too violent for his taste but loved to follow tennis and cricket. I'm sure all the cousins (his grandchildren) have watched at least a game or two with him, and knew that his favourite tennis player was "Naadaan" - i.e. his mallu pet name for Rafael Nadal.
So I was at Ammath for my summer vacations when there was this cricket match one day between India and Australia. Muthassan saw me glued to the set, waiting for the toss, and told me to inform if something significant happens while he went to the other room to iron his clothes. (Yes, Muthassan loved to iron his own clothes and dhotis, even at the age of 90..)
Australia started batting and in the second over Irfan Pathan trapped Mathew Hayden in front of the wicket. I was pretty happy and came rushing to Muthassan and told him. "He's gotten him out LBW!!".
"Who??", he asked. "Irfan Pathan", I replied. "Is Irfan Pathan out or did he get someone out??", Muthassan asked, confused.
I understood that he did not know who was batting and cleared the confusion.
Muthassan then said, "You should be specific in what you say and tell the most relevant things first. Don't you know the way Hanuman gave Lord Sree Rama news of finding Seetha??"
I was very curious now. " I don't know Muthassa.... What did Hanuman say???", I prodded.
Muthassan smiled gently and began his story. "You see, Lord Sree Rama had sent his monkey troops in all directions in search of the missing Sita Devi and, having the most trust in Hanuman, had given him his signature ring. Hanuman spotted Sita Devi in Lanka, spoke with her and was rushing with her symbol to Lord Sree Rama to give him the happy news. On seeing Lord Sree Rama from a distance, you know what Hanuman said excitedly??"
Muthassan paused to catch his breath, (I was already holding mine!!) and also to increase the suspense of the story.
"Hanuman said, 'Sighted!!! Sighted, Seetha Devi has been!!!' instead of 'Seetha Devi has been sighted.' ( 'Kanduuu.., nyan Seethaye.....' instead of 'Seethaye nyan kandu')
He did not want to delay the most important part of the news by even a few words / seconds.", Muthassan concluded and walked off to see the rest of the match but not before nailing it.
"The Puranas are not just the story of God. They are a way of thinking, they are a way of life."
:)
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