– a Talesmith short by Rajesh Muthuraj

In a busy South Indian kitchen, a fresh pot of sambar was coming to life. Tomatoes jumped in first. Onions followed. Carrots rolled in cheerfully.

However, in the corner of the chopping board lay a few long, green drumsticks. Silent, unnoticed.

The cook picked them up last. The vegetables started whispering.

“Hardly any flesh.”
“So much effort to eat.”
“Why is it even here?”

But when the drumstick went into the bubbling sambar, and as time passed, the aroma deepened. The flavor matured. The entire pot changed.

Something interesting happened at the dining table. People didn’t just eat the drumsticks. They sucked the flavor out of them, slowly, patiently and smilingly.

Why? Because they knew that although the drumstick does not dominate the sambar, it transforms it from within.

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Life Lesson

Some people in our lives play roles that are not loud. Their contributions are not so obvious. But these are the ones who infuse depth in our boring lives. These are the ones who turn our dish called life flavourful.

Be the drumstick. Not always seen. Always essential.

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