Mercy Is More Than A Pardon. Poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar

Mercy is higher than showing kindness.
Mercy is not just forgiving offenders.
Mercy is doing good, moved by pity,
To the offender instead of revenge.

‘Save me; my enemies chase me to kill me;
All men call you good; house me for a night.'
Said a stranger to Sheik Azim Khamer
Of Arabia, falling at his feet.

The Sheik bid him enter and fed him well.
He made him his guest and gave him a bed.
At dawn, he gave him some gold and a horse.
Moved was the stranger by his benevolence.

He confessed he was the killer of his son.
He offered himself to be slain in turn.
The sheik was shocked and was agitated.
However, the good part prevailed on him.

‘Go! I will not kill you.' Said the Sheik,
‘You have been noble enough to confess;
I must be noble enough to forgive.
Then only will rest my son's soul in peace.'

Mercy is an act much hard to perform.
Mercy is a privilege enjoyed by those
Who have power to retaliate or
Who have power to adjudicate.

We've got by mercy that we don't deserve.
Let others get by mercy that they don't deserve.
Mercy is sweeter than the revenge
As it sweeten the offender also.
13.07.2014