UGADI
She wanted to spend Ugadi as happily and peacefully as possible because she always believed that the whole year will be spent much the same way as one spends Ugadi.
She started the day with a jubilant mood.
But her maid did not turn up at the usual hour. The kitchen sink was full of dirty dishes as they had guests the previous night.
Then the milkman was late and her morning cup of coffee was delayed, adding to her headache. When she asked her husband to go across to bring the milk, he did not move. On top of that, he lectured on how to handle and manage the maids and milkmen! She restrained from shouting at him.
Then she asked her teenage daughter to help with the dishes and cooking but she refused and settled before the TV watching some loud music channel.
Her husband supported her, saying, “Don’t make her work on Ugadi”
She looked at him sharply, and said, “Then why should I? It's Ugadi for me too! Let’s go and eat outside.”
He shuddered. “Are you crazy? Do you want us to eat only junk food the whole year?”
She was furious and wanted to curse the maid and the whole world to her heart’s content. But she controlled herself. ‘Not on this day, no harsh words or ill feelings.’
Thus keeping her cool, she went back to dishes, sweeping, washing and cooking, all single handedly.
During lunch they went on passing snide remarks about the taste of the lavish lunch she so painstakingly prepared. Her blood boiled as the food tasted not only okay but delicious to her. But, ‘No, l should not argue or create a scene today.' She thought and kept quiet.
Feeling tired and frustrated, she went to the nearby temple in the evening, in search of peace. But, lo, it was crowded and noisy. The guards were very harsh and almost pushing and dragging the devotees, shouting, “move on, move on quickly.”
She felt disgusted and sat in a lonely spot, brooding. Then she saw a friend approaching. Sensing her mood-out, she enquired, “Why are you so upset? What happened?”
“I wanted to spend this day in an ideal manner.” She sighed. Then she described her day in detail.
Her friend shook her head. “No, no, why should you feel depressed? You spent today in a really good way. You avoided arguing, cursing or hurting the people around you, kept your temper under control, performed all your duties well, treated everyone with goodwill and overall, displayed a positive attitude. What better way is there to spend Ugadi or any day for that matter?”
Her words sounded convincing and soothing. And feeling light, she smiled and said..
“HAPPY UGADI to you and the whole world”
