From: sramalin@memstvx1.memst.edu
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian.telugu
Subject: STORY ( C.M.) # 3
Date: 15 Dec 92 13:41:42 -0600
Organization: Memphis State University

                            PILLARS OF THE SKY
                           --------------------
                                                 Author unknown

How he came to that village, no one knew. But whoever asked of him for help, he
did, expecting something back. He was utterly guileless and so people took him
to be a fool and cheated him whenever possible. They thought that he had no
'common sense' and they started calling him Vengalappa. Whoever called him for
some work, got all the day's work done and gave him just the meals of the day 
and paid him nothing. Vengalappa was very happy, he got the food for the day 
and so never argued with anyone. True to his name, he behaved. He slept
wherever he found room, normally under the big banyan tree in summer and in the
temple corridars in winter.
One day as he was lying on his old cot under the tree, he looked at the sky
above him and wondered thus. " How come there are no pillars to the sky ?
After all for a thatched hut there are many pillars supporting ? And if the sky
were to fall on me, because it has no supports, what would happen to me ?". Thus
frightened, he got up from the cot and ran into the village and asked
whomsoever he came across as to why there are no pillars to the sky. People
until then were thinking that vengalappa was a fool. Now they thought that
vengalappa became mad. Having got no proper answer from anyone vengalappa could
not remove his fear from his mind and so he walked out of the village. He
wanted to go to a place where there is no sky. Wherever he went, he found the
blue sky above him. So he walked until it was dark and reached a forest.
There he found a thick grove of trees under which he took rest after the long
walk. Beneath the nearby tree, he found a sadhu meditating. Vengalappa eagerly
ran to him and asked  " My goodness. Have you also been frightened by
the fact that there are no pillars to the sky ? Good . I will have some
company." The sadhu after one/two questions, found him to be a fool and told
him " My dear son ! Who said there are no pillars to the sky ? There are
pillars to the sky and I tell you tomorrow more,but for the night take rest
here". So vengalappa found great peace and slept happily.
Early next morning, the monk called Vengalappa and told him. "Please go to the
nearby village and beg for alms. But remember, before they come out to give you
alms, start scolding them severely and tell me what happens." 
As said by the sadhu, Vengalappa went for alms. He stood at the first house he 
saw and begged for alms with a loud voice. But before anyone came out of the 
house, he started abusing them. Suddenly the owner of the house came with a 
stick in his hand and started beating Vengalappa. So Vengalappa ran off to 
escape the beating. This process repeated at the next door,next door and many 
more doors. Finally he came to the house that is located at the very outskirts 
of the village. There Vengalappa shouted :
" Mother ! give me some food ". But before the lady came out,he started abusing
her. After sometime, the lady of the house came out with alms and gave them to 
Vengalappa and said calmnly :
" Son ! Indeed I took time for coming out. But I understand how a hungry man
suffers. Your abusing has the real reason behind it. I am sorry I could not
come earlier. Please take this food and ask me if you want more. Never mind the
abusing. Pangs of hunger make people behave so."
Vengalappa took the food and in a dazed state came back to the sadhu and told
him what has happened at all the houses and also about the lady at the last
house who rather behaved odd.
So the sadhu explained " See my dear fella. Even if you have abused the
lady at the last house, she didnot take it seriously, understanding the pangs
of hunger. There are few people like her in this world. Indeed these people
are the pillars of the sky !! That's the reason the sky doesnot fall off."
Suddenly Vengalappa realised what a great truth he learnt that day and begged
of the sadhu to allow him for doing service to the later. Thus vengalappa spent
his time in peace in the company of the sadhu for the rest of his life.
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