In his article titled “I am not a Statistic”, (ET, 11 Feb 2011), Devdutt Pattanaik writes a wonderful episode with a very nice lesson for all of us to learn. I think this lesson is only a drop from the ocean of Ramayana.
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The bridge was being built across the sea. This would enable Ram’s army to reach the island-kingdom of Lanka and rescue his wife who was held captive there. This was no ordinary army - this was an army of animals. Vultures had identified the location of the island. Bears were serving as the architects.
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Monkeys were the workers implementing the construction, carrying huge boulders and throwing it into the sea. Work was hectic. The monkeys were jumping and screeching everywhere to ensure everything was being done efficiently and effectively when suddenly there appeared amongst them a tiny squirrel carrying a pebble. This little creature also wanted to contribute to the bridge-building exercise.
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The monkeys saw him and laughed. One even shoved the squirrel aside considering him a nuisance. But when Ram saw the squirrel, he was overwhelmed with gratitude. He thanked the tiny creature for his immense contribution. He brushed his fingers over his back to comfort him. This, it is said, is what gave rise to the stripes on the squirrel’s back that can be seen even today, a sign of Ram’s acknowledgment of his contribution.
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Statistically speaking, the squirrel’s contribution to the bridge was insignificant. But he had given it his 100%. Does it matter? Not as far as the bridge construction is concerned, for sure. But to Ram it did. He sensed that the squirrel’s devotion was second to none. The material contribution may not have been as great as the others but his emotional contribution was as high. That mattered.
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At the end of his article, the author is concerned and says that the tragedy of modern management is that it is teaching us “not to be” Ram. But I am sure until there are writers like him, all is not lost.
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- Rahul
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