Perseverance [from 'naaladiyaar' In Tamil] Poem by Rajendran Muthiah

191. As the green crops near the bund of a small tank,
Some folks relish the food their kin give and grieve
when their kin are in want. But those who persevere
like dancers with sweeping looks need not moan.

192. The tossing twig of the sapling becomes
The strong tree used as the stake to tie up
an elephant. The one who makes efforts
to raise oneself achieves greatness in life.

193. When the strong tiger doesn't get apt preys,
he grasps and eats the small frog. When the wise
get low-paid jobs, they don't scoff at them as they'll
show the way to well- paid jobs by their efforts.

194. O, Chief of cool coastal groves, where the waves
hit and wash ashore the #Kandal- water- plants.
It's manly to finish a work disliked.
No need of men! Women will do pleasant work!

195. Castes good and bad exist in words alone
with no meaning. Greatness comes not
by ancient features but by one's penance,
education, and the perseverance.

196. The Wise don't make it plain their skills
and perseverance till they complete a work.
They recognize the skills within by mere looks
on limbs of people. The world nods to their ways.

197. The aerial roots of the banyan make it firm
and serve as pillars to bear when the white-ants
canker its stem. If the son backs his father
when he wears out, the weakness in him shakes off.

198. The persevering, who have the might of a lion
with strong legs and sharp nails to hurt the spotted
face of the elephant, don't do acts ignoble,
though trapped in fatal poverty.

199. The flowers of sugarcane grown in the mud
have no scent though thick horse's hairy mane,
they seem. If the high-born don't make efforts
to have a name, there's no use of their birth.

200. The low-born only eat the food with dishes
which the famous #Mutharaiar, give. Those who
know not even the names of these dishes
drink water like nectar, got by their efforts.