A Spoonful of Sugar

INSIGHTS OF THE WISE it forthwith to the Raja. This was his way of saying that the Parsis would sweeten their milk–not take possession of it. That is to say that their presence would add sweetness to the life of the state. The Raja was pleased with this response and gave them his permission to stay in Gujrat. One thousand years have passed since this incident took place, and history has shown how the Parsi Peshwa’s words came true. This was because the members of the Parsi community did not waste their time in launching demand and protest movements throughout the country. Instead, they contributed to the progress and development of the country by working harder than everyone else. They made advances, particularly in the fields of education and industry, thus adding to the wealth of the country. In a situation where there were so many ‘taker’ groups, they achieved, by dint of consistent striving, the status of a ‘giver’ group. They knew the secret of the good life. In this world, it is the giver who prospers. Those who ‘sweeten’ the ‘milk’ of others find positions of honour for themselves. On the contrary, those who have only bitterness for others, will receive bitterness from them in return. If you want to receive something, enter the world with a “gift card.” If you enter with a “demand card,” you will find nothing here. On August 24, 1988, I met Mr. P.D. Malhotra, who was born in 1935. He has served as the Publications Manager at the Sahitya Akademi in New Delhi for about 30 years. He