Beechi's Bhayagraphi

Have been reading "nanna bhayagraphi" by kannada author Beechi. It is a beautiful book.
Beechi was the first humor author I read. In our childhood, we used to read his jokes - with the character  timma and loved them. Even today, he is considered one of the great authors in Kannada.

But as a song in Hindi says " तुम इतना क्यों मुस्कुरा रहे हो क्या गम है जिसको छिपा रहे हो" , the author had a very, very difficult childhood. He lost his father as soon as he was born. The boy was so sick that he was kept outside the house - as it is considered bad omen in Brahmin houses, if someone dies inside the house. His mother died when he was hardly eight years old. He was looked after by his aunt whose son would beat the child first, then talk to him.

May be it was his way of telling God (he was an atheist) that he is no coward.

When his mother was alive, they had just enough for food and shelter. But what about the one and quarter rupees of school fees. Beechi would go to different houses asking people to give him four annas (in those days one fourth rupee). If just five people gave four annas each, his fees could be paid. But the things he had to hear from these people - "Nothing will happen if you do not go to school", "Do you use this money really for school fees, or you eat something with it" and so on.

Then he concludes, somehow the money was collected each month and he need not have to discontinue the studies.

Look at another incidence. 

Beechi was working in the police department. In those days, if someone from the department remains absent without prior notice, it was a serious offence. One clerk remained absent for a day. When he came to office next day, Beechi was shouting at him. As he himself admits, his honesty had made him too proud. "Why did you not come to office? I will dismiss you ..." and so on he kept on shouting. The poor man finally told " I have TB(tuberculosis)  ". Beechi was shocked. His mother and his elder sister both had died of TB. 

The clerk did not want to take leave based on his illness, because then he would have to go to government hospitals which he was too scared of.  He was taking herbal (naati) medicine. And he was the sole bread winner of large family. 

Beechi made sure he got almost eight months of leave stating his wife's illness as reason which let the poor man regain his health. 

Looks like to earn at least a little bit of humility and kind nature, I must read the biographies and autobiographies of great people.