In this world, things happen as ordained by God Almighty. Whatever you might do, eventually destiny prevails. Whether you are the gift of God or the accidental by-product of the biological activity of your parents, there is nothing much you can do about it. Therefore, if you are better placed in this world compared to other less fortunate ones, there is nothing at all to brag about it. On the contrary, humility should mark your conduct. Some people forget this truth and seek to take credit for their so-called achievements.

The other day I was travelling by town bus. There was an old man sitting on my right. I had seen him in my suburb before. He decided that he knew me enough to start a conversation. Initially I did not mind. I had to kill time till the bus reached my destination. Little did I then know what was coming. The following dialogue ensued between us.

Old man: You say you have your own house. How big is the compound?
I: About 4 cents.
Old man: Mine is 9 and a half cents. The size of your house? Big?
I: Small - 850 sq. ft.
Old man: Mine is 1300 sq. ft. How many children do you have?
I: Two, a boy and a girl.
Old man: I have eight. Are your children educated?
I: Not much. They are just graduates.
Old man: My sons and daughters are post-graduates. Are your son and daughter employed?
I: One has a job in United India, the other is a Central Govt. clerk.
Old man: You see, my sons, daughters, daughters-in-law and sons-in-law are all employed. They are either professors, or managers/officers in well-known institutions and I have provided each of them separate houses. How old are you?
I: I am 64.
Old man: I am 82.

This was going too far, though the bus had reached only halfway. I made up my mind to deflate the old man's king-size ego.

I: What is your height?
Old man: I am 5 feet 5 inches.
I: I am full 6 feet.

That shut him up. An unsociable silence descended. To break it, I said, "Nowadays the mosquito problem in Kovaipudur is terrible. One can't open one's mouth without a few of them getting in."

He readily agreed, resisting the compelling temptation to say that the mosquitoes in his house were more in number and bigger than those in mine.
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