Vitamin "I" - Part Two - Vitamin Deficiency

"Shekar.... Shekar, can you hear me Shekar..."

"Oh Rajeev, why are you lying down on the bed? What happened to you?"

"Huh! You fool, you are the one lying on the bed, I'm standing! You'd fainted, you know that?"

Shekar fell back to sleep and it was only the next morning he woke up. And Rajeev told him George does make up such stories.

"And what if it was true, what if he was the reason that we were losing so many deals, what if.."

"Shekar, stop blaming others, accept your own responsibilites! Its the company which is responsible, not any tea-wallah George!"

Shekar understood what was said, and after this he really did work hard. Hiss boss never ever complained to him that he wasn't working efficiently or wasn't meeting deadlines! Shekar started to enjoy working here now and surprisingly, the company was back on track, not that Shekar alone was responsible for it, but it made him more confident.

After a few days Rajeev noticed that Shekar had become a workaholic and was becoming very overconfident. Rajeev thought for a few days and he knew what had to be done. He straight away went to George's and he was back in a flash.

A few days later Rajeev and Shekar came down to George's for a smoke!

"Shekar babu, I hope you didn't faint the other day when I'd told you that tale. Don't listen to me so seriously."

"By the way George, who taugh you such good English?"

"Oh, Rajeev sir did! You know it is too tough to teach someone like me English."

"Ah come on, I can teach someone like you in a month! Uh, lets say, I'll teach your brother!"

"That sounds good, I will send him to you house tomorrow then!"

Shekar took it as a challenge and rigrously started teaching George's brother, Albert, spoken English. The last day he asked Albert, "So you can confidently speak in English now no?"

"Yes sir, thanks for what you have done, you are like Rajeev babu, now can also talk like my brother!"

"Ok so tomorrow we'll show your brother how welll you can speak."

The next day Rajeev and Shekar arrived at George's.
"Albert, tell your brother how well you can speak in English."

"Sir, I speak English bestly! See bhaiya, English good mine!"

Shekar again fainted!

end of part two

Vitamin "I" - Part One

George, as everybody called him, was always seen at the tea shop at the corner. Other than tea, the tea-shop was famous for their delectable preparation of Aloo Parantha. Most of the suave executives from the financial firm behind the shop came to it for having a delightful smoke with an Adrak ki chai, and if someone had a minuscule hint of hunger, George would bring in the bowl of Nimbu ka Acchar and very politely ask, "Sir, Aloo Parantha ready hai!" His endearing smile thereafter left no choice to the executives but to order it.

The service was prompt, 10 - 15 people were kept satisfied at any given time. Executives really adored George's preparation as well his ability to keep his customers happy. Even the most senior guy at the firm was his Parantha fan.

One day, a new hire at the office, Shekar, came out of his first meeting. A young guy in his early 20s had never been insulted by his superior ever in his life, even though the work he did was near perfect. He came out of the meeting, totally dispirited and barked, "That guy's a jerk, why doesn't he keep god as his analyst!" Shekar's mentor responded very calmly and asked him to take a walk with him. They walked through the ramps and reached the gate of their office.

"Do you smoke Shekar?"

"No Rajeev, I never do, I let the cigarette smoke me!"

"Good boy, you can laugh at yourself, then why the hell did you lose the cool in front of your boss?"

"Ah, actually you are right, seniors do tend to take out the best from their juniors, but that guy was more than unreason...", he was cut short by the appearance of George with two steaming hot Paranthas. He's so damn fast, was his first thought.

"You didn't even had the slightest idea that this young man can be that fast? Boy, always look for the number 1."

"But he wants me to get something out of nothing! Isn't that impossible?"

"No Shekar, if you want to get something out of nothing, you have to do nothing for something!"

Shekar obviously didn't get what Rajeev was saying at that time. Soon he was over with his Parantha and was wanting for more, when Rajeev stopped him by mentioning his next deadline. Shekar, impressed by George, gave him a laudatory tip for his service.

"Now Rajeev, don't tell me this is how you get something for nothing!" They both had a hearty laugh and then they moved on towards the office. Shekar soon became a regular customer at George's, and then one day he saw George doing some accounts for his shop.

"What happened?"

"Nothin, sir, me just tryin to go for high profit", George said as best as he could.

"You know George, one day when you shop becomes good, I will be happy to work as your financial advisor!"

George and Shekar had a light laugh after that and they both went on with their works. Another day with his Charminar in his hand, Shekar reached George's and George was in a mood to tell a story.

George said "Sir, do you know how I started this shop?" Shekar was initially shocked by the way he spoke, in a refined accent. He was spellbound and couldn't speak.

"One day I gained some Vitamin I and from there on I came down to this shop," George continued. "I used to work in the financial firm in the opposite building, just like you. One day I scolded my junior very harshly. He in turn gave me an insight, in finance you work with numbers, you mend numbers. Go and work with real money and you'll know how tough it is to get something out of nothing. That day I decided to work here in a tea stall. I have gained what I call as Vitamin "I" here."

"Moreover, I know what is happening in your firm, we beat you in all your deals, and have learnt the lesson of life, how to get something for nothing."

Shekar couldn't come out of this shock and it literally looked that day that his smoke was smoking him and not the other way around.

"You are a very sly person!" shouted Shekar. And then he walked away without paying George. He ran up to Rajeev's room and shouted, "Rajeeeev, that George is a ..."

"SShhhhh", said Rajeev. "Oh he told you the same story too? That George is a hell of a naughty boy, he scares the hell out of you, doesn't he?"

Shekar fell down on the Sofa.


end of part one