The gift was pay back time category. It was big and heavy. It was to make sure it was noticed. I was attending a wedding reception of the daughter of a govt functionary aka a Babu who had done favors to me. Everything babus do even if falling within the scope of their duty, is a favor. Such weddings are crowded. Now imagine if the wedding is in a complex with three wedding halls. It is a mad house. Mysore has a couple of them. Finding a parking for your car is another story.
I stood in line with my burden in hand. The serpentine queue moved at a snail pace. People who violated the rules of queue and joining in the middle was further slowing down the speed. Everyone was posing for a photograph. Babus have a way keeping a record of who came and with what and not because they will preserve it to show to posterity.
I had reached the top of the dais. Just a few steps away. The concerned Babu was no where in sight. I asked the gentleman behind me. You are in the wrong wedding sir he smiled. I looked for a quick exit. Had I attempted it, I would have started a human avalanche. Now there was no escape. I proceeded to part with the gift. The grooms side looked at the brides for introduction and vice versa. None came forth. The groom was impressed with the looks of the gift. What is your name uncle he asked ? I muttered ‘Santa Claus’ under my breath. The photographer was surely felt offended when I did not smile when he asked me to.
ಧರ್ಮಕ್ಕೆ ದಟ್ಟಿಕೊಟ್ಟರೆ ಹಿತ್ತಲಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಮೊಳಹಾಕಿದರಂತೆ. For those who cannot read or understand Kannada , this is the exact Kannada version of the saying… ‘ do not look into the mouth of the gift horse’.I am a very bad gift planner or giver unlike my sister Krupa who is fantastic in gift giving. So I love this western system of a gift registry for the celebration of major events in life.
The part about getting several numbers of the same piece reminded me of my wedding gifts! 10 milk cookers , 15 wooden wall hangings depicting Bhagavadgeeta or a set of elements & the like .
Another great learning for me from your FC. While I have been using the term " Don't look at a Gift horse in the mouth" , I really didn't know it meant that you could guess if the horse was an old one by that method. Thanks Pras.
Very nice 👍😊 really enjoying FC each time in our wedding we got 4 wall clocks 😊
Giving gifts is really difficult
You must have had a lot of time on your hand :)
Another good read! I am surprised by the variety of topics. Thank you and looking forward for many more.
Pras sir, You are such a gifted writer, in addition to having the gift of the gab 👍
Thank you so much!!
The gift was pay back time category. It was big and heavy. It was to make sure it was noticed. I was attending a wedding reception of the daughter of a govt functionary aka a Babu who had done favors to me. Everything babus do even if falling within the scope of their duty, is a favor. Such weddings are crowded. Now imagine if the wedding is in a complex with three wedding halls. It is a mad house. Mysore has a couple of them. Finding a parking for your car is another story.
I stood in line with my burden in hand. The serpentine queue moved at a snail pace. People who violated the rules of queue and joining in the middle was further slowing down the speed. Everyone was posing for a photograph. Babus have a way keeping a record of who came and with what and not because they will preserve it to show to posterity.
I had reached the top of the dais. Just a few steps away. The concerned Babu was no where in sight. I asked the gentleman behind me. You are in the wrong wedding sir he smiled. I looked for a quick exit. Had I attempted it, I would have started a human avalanche. Now there was no escape. I proceeded to part with the gift. The grooms side looked at the brides for introduction and vice versa. None came forth. The groom was impressed with the looks of the gift. What is your name uncle he asked ? I muttered ‘Santa Claus’ under my breath. The photographer was surely felt offended when I did not smile when he asked me to.
An excellent narrative of an embarrassing moment !!
ಧರ್ಮಕ್ಕೆ ದಟ್ಟಿಕೊಟ್ಟರೆ ಹಿತ್ತಲಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಮೊಳಹಾಕಿದರಂತೆ. For those who cannot read or understand Kannada , this is the exact Kannada version of the saying… ‘ do not look into the mouth of the gift horse’.I am a very bad gift planner or giver unlike my sister Krupa who is fantastic in gift giving. So I love this western system of a gift registry for the celebration of major events in life.
The part about getting several numbers of the same piece reminded me of my wedding gifts! 10 milk cookers , 15 wooden wall hangings depicting Bhagavadgeeta or a set of elements & the like .
Very well written Prasanna.
Thank you Prabha for telling us how you were 'gifted' many times.
People, who don't let studies come in their way of education, tend to develop keen horse sense.
well said TK
Another great learning for me from your FC. While I have been using the term " Don't look at a Gift horse in the mouth" , I really didn't know it meant that you could guess if the horse was an old one by that method. Thanks Pras.
Thank you Shahji. You fuel my desire to disseminate new ideas and thoughts.
So do you. Personally speaking I have benefited from being your FC reader.
So kind of you to say that.