Washed in Water

In the foothills of Krishnagiri, under the cool shadow of ancient jackfruit trees, the revered poetess Avvaiyaar arrived at the palace of King Vel Pari, one of the last seven great philanthropist kings of Tamilakam. Her fame as a wise elder, lover of Tamil, and voice of dharma had long preceded her.

There she met young chieftain Arinjigai, a proud and impulsive youth known for showering gifts on whoever flattered him, whether they were beggars or rogues. That day, he'd just donated a gold-inlaid chariot to a wandering minstrel who sang his name into exaggerated glory.

Seeing this, Avvaiyaar shook her head gently and said, “Arinjigai, do you know why King Pari gave away his chariot to a mere jasmine creeper climbing the stone wall?”

The young man smirked. “To show generosity even to the weak?”

Avvaiyaar nodded. “Yes. He gave to something that had no hands to receive, no voice to sing his praise. Because it truly needed support.”

She continued, “Once, I gave a sack of millet to a trader struck by famine. He sold it the next day for silver. And when I asked him why, he said, ‘Food fills me once, silver fills me longer.’ I gave again — and again he sold. That kindness was like writing on flowing water.”

Then she pointed to a temple stone nearby where a villager had etched a verse thanking Avvaiyaar for helping his daughter learn letters. “This stone will outlast us all. So does gratitude from the deserving.”

Ashamed, Arinjigai lowered his head. “Then how do I know who is deserving, Amma?”

Avvaiyaar smiled. “Look not for praises, but for purpose. Give where growth takes root — not where greed blooms.”

Moral: 

True generosity lies in discernment. When you give to the deserving, your kindness becomes immortal.

Inspiration

Good deeds done for the deserving are like etched in stone; kindness shown to the ungrateful fades like writing on water. - Avvaiyaar