Achilles and Hector of Troy - legends killed by their own blood!

Yesterday I was watching Troy. That was not the first time and I believe that will not be the last time either. I'm one of those people that believe there is a lot to learn from our past, be it the mistakes or the best decisions that had changed the course of human history.

I have not read the book but the director, Wolfgang Petersen, had done an awesome job with Troy. The opulence and magnificence of yesteryears was vividly captured in the movie.

Everytime I watched the movie, there was always something new that hit my eyes. This time was no different. The legendary Achilles and the prince of Troy, Hector, I realised, were killed by their own blood! Achilles was single handedly killed by his own mother while Hector's killing was a collective achievement of his father, wife, brother, commander and the least you expect, Hector himself!

I know! If you had read the book or watched the movie, you would say, 'No! Achilles killed Hector and Paris killed Achilles. Wait! Hear me out!

When Achilles was invited for the war, he goes to his mom for advice and this is what she had to tell him; if you stay back, you will have a happy family and a loving wife; you will have children and they will love you; they will have children and they will praise you; they will have children and in turn they will have children of their own; you will be forgotten slowly. On the other hand, if you leave, you will never come back, but the world will sing your praise; you will be remembered forever! Going by the almost-gayish intimacy shown between Achilles and his cousin, the 'marrying-a-girl' part must have had beaten the s--t out of Achilles! So he decides to leave for the war and his mom kisses him goodbye. What a mom! And what a lousy way to start a lifetime mission! In the end, he does not seem to participate in the war happily. He dies a sad man. Of all the people, the mighty Achilles had to be killed by the weakling, Paris.

The other sad story was that of Hector. When Achilles calls Hector for the ill-fated fight, none of Hector's relatives believe or at least pretend that he will come back alive, including his wife! As if that is not enough, Hector himself strongly believes that he will not survive. I would have been surprised, if he came back alive after all these ill preparations. What a far cry from today's Stephen Covey, Robin Sharma, Robert Kiyosaki and a host of other authors and their money-minting books on positive thinking and self-hypnotism for success!

Having said that, it was no surprise that the weakling, Paris, kills the mighty Achilles, because Hector tells him, you are the prince of Troy now, my brother, I know you will make me proud! Helen, with a face that launched a thousand ships, tells him, I love you for what you are! You are more man than my ex-husband.

It is a wonder what positive words can do and negative words can undo!

Time expands so as to let you do your 'planned' tasks!

In the office, an oft repeated question is how do you get to complete all tasks, where do you find time? The answer lies in my law of universe! "Time expands so as to let you do your 'planned' tasks!".

As long as all our tasks find their respective places in our Calendar or To-do list, we will find time to accomplish the identified tasks. Of course, we need to revisit and rearrange tasks as per their current priorities to see success.

There is another law that can potentially thwart your law of universe. That is the boss' law of universe! The new assignments and dynamics that this law brings in can be a schedule breaker. However, this is an omnipresent law and cannot be negated! The only way around is to let your law coexist and be driven by the law of boss!

Annual Appraisals - How to get 'Outstanding'!

Annual Appraisals can be energy-drainers if appraisers or appraisees just wake up to the occation! I have witnessed, year-on-year, many asking "why are you rating me low? I and x did the same job! How come my rating is low and how come my compensation hike is low? What do you mean by going the extra-mile? What do you mean by proactiveness! Why am I just 'Exceeds Expectation' and not 'Outstanding'? Such questions never fail to remind me of this old story!

Once upon a time, in a village, a rich farmer had many employees working for him in the field. One of the employees of the farmer, Raman, thought he is an excellent employee and must be rewarded better. However to his dismay, year on year, the farmer seemed to be ignoring him for a pay-hike but at the same time was increasing the salary of another employee, Kandan. The Pongal festival came! It happened once again. Kandan was given a bigger salary hike compared to Raman. As if that’s not enough, the farmer also gifted a cow to Kandan. Raman was very disappointed and he decided it is time that he discussed this with the farmer.

He approached the farmer and demanded an explanation for the ‘partiality’.The farmer said, Sure! you deserve an answer. However, I would like you to complete a task for me before we discussed your issue.

Farmer: Do you see the bullock cart on the main road? Can you go check what is the load?
Raman ran to the bullock cart and inquired and came back, Sir! it is mangoes.
Farmer: Wow, that’s good – can you check what variety?
Raman checked and came back – it is Malgova!
Farmer: Then it must be tasty – can you check if he can sell it to us?
Raman ran, checked and came back – Yes Sir! 1kg is Rs.2
Farmer: That’s expensive! Can you check if he can give us the entire load for a reduced price?
Raman ran. By this time the bullock cart has gone farther. Panting, he checked and came back – Yes Sir! He is ready to sell the entire load to us for Rs. 100.
Farmer: That’s good Raman! Now you wait and sit right next to me. Then he called for Kandan.

Farmer: Kanda, I just saw a bullock cart on the main road. Can you go check what is the load?
Off went Kandan and came back! Sir, that was a load of mangoes from Kallakurichi. He’s taking it to the Manaparai Sandai. I tasted a sample - it is a very good Malgova variety. I bargained the entire load for Rs. 80. He may even give the entire load for Rs.70 if we exchange a load of haystack that is lying wasted in our backyard. I asked him to come and meet you. He’s on the way! Do you want any other help?

The farmer said, that’s fine Kanda, you go back and carry on with your work. Off went Kandan.
The farmer looked at Raman and Raman said ‘Sir, Now I understand!’

The crow and the fox - moral of the story!

I guess this is a typical Indian story. I was telling my son the story of a crow that was cheated by a fox. It goes like this. There was this crow that flicks a vadai, a south indian delicacy, from an old lady. With the boot in it's mouth the crow settles on a tree. Just then comes a fox. You are so beautiful, can you sing a song for me, saysthe fox. The stupid crow opens its mouth and there goes the vadai right into the mouth of the fox. The disappointed crow was back another day, this time with a boot from the old lady, again. Not to miss a chance the fox shows up under the tree. You are so beautiful, can you sing a song for me, says the fox. Isn't the crow experiencednow? Still not able to resist the flattery, the crow secures the vadai in it's claws and sings what it things is the best song. The fox is not to be out-smarted yet, the fox said 'Man! thats awesome! why dont you spice it up with a dance? That is one heck of a compliment to resist and the crow obliges. The happy fox runs with the vadai in itsmouth. So the story goes several rounds until the crow reaches nirvana!

What's the moral of the story? There are some families that shut their doors tight before the meal. Dont let strangers watch you eat! They have learnt a lesson or two haven't they? ;-)