Friendship of Srinath and Dada Poper

Srinath and Dada Poper became best of the friends during their college years. They understood eachother's personality and character very well and bonded. After college, Poper became an "Estate Agent" in the islands of Malaya and started earning thousands of Rupees. Srinath remained in Mysore and became a clerk, earning forty Rupees per month. Eight years later, Poper returned to Mysore for a visit. The friends had kept in touch via letters, and both were keen to see one another. On Sunday morning at 8 o'clock, Srinath decided to call on his friend and Poper decided to call on Srinath. They both knew that time of the week was perfect. They were both excited about the occasion. Even though he might be a friend, "it might not be appropriate for me to visit him in my torn clothes" -- Srinath thought and begged and borrowed to appear nice and respectable. He even hired a tonga. Poper thought --"Srinath is not well off. If I go to his house in my expensive clothing, he might be humiliated", and bought a pair of inexpensive mill cotton clothes. At the chowk marg (intersection), they ran into each other and heartily shook hands. "If this guy lives this lifestyle in forty bucks, how will he ever come out of poverty?" -- Poper thought. "No wonder this stingy man accumulated so much wealth" --Srinath pondered. They had understood eachother's personality and chracter really well! __________ As told by G.P. Rajarathnam in "Hanigalu", 1973.