Hunger and Patience

The Beggar’s Journey

Once upon a time, a beggar, who was not receiving any alms during his daily rounds in his village, decided to venture to a nearby town. There, he approached a large mansion and inquired with the servants whether he could be provided with some food. The servants took him to their master, who instructed them, “Take this gentleman to that room. Give him water to wash. Then seat him on that chair and let him eat to his heart’s content.”

The Elaborate Pretence

The servants led the beggar to a corner and pretended to pour water for him to wash. Instantly, the beggar sensed that the rich man was a hypocrite intending to deceive him. However, he kept his feelings to himself, enduring the farce that was unfolding before him.

A Hunger Unleashed

Soon, he sat down to eat, and the chef similarly pretended to pour food onto an imaginary plate. The rich man said, “Hello there, give the gentleman more soup and curry!” This, of course, was all an elaborate pretence. The beggar was ravenously hungry but feigned enjoyment as if he were relishing every bite.

Expressing Gratitude

From time to time, he paused to remark that the soup was excellent and the curry quite tasteful, all to maintain the facade. When the imaginary meal finally ended, the beggar belched loudly to express his appreciation for the wonderful fare that had been “served” to him. He then turned to the rich man and said, “Sir, I thank you for a wonderful feast. I haven’t eaten like this in ages. Thank you, thank you very much.”

A Surprising Revelation

As he was about to leave, the rich man’s wife, who had been hiding nearby, emerged laughing and said, “Sir, don’t go. What you had so far was merely an imaginary feast. Now we will provide you with a real one.”

The True Test

The beggar looked utterly confused at this revelation, prompting her to explain, “You see, my husband and I had a bet. My husband claimed that no man could withstand the pangs of hunger, while I argued that a truly patient man could endure the severest hunger. We decided to test this, and you came along, proving that I was right.”

A Real Feast Awaits

Hearing this, the beggar breathed a sigh of relief and, for the second time that day, he sat down to enjoy a feast — a real one this time.

Understanding Asbestos

This is a fiber that comes from rocks as hard as granite. It is believed that chemical action over millions of years transformed certain volcanic rocks into a substance that contained a great deal of water. As the water dried up, cracks left in the rock became filled with fibers. These fibers are treated for use in the manufacturing of various articles, especially those designed to withstand high heat. Asbestos does not conduct heat and is non-flammable.

Asbestos Resources in India

India has limited resources of asbestos, primarily found in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Mysore, and Rajasthan. In India, it is available for various applications, but usage must be carefully considered due to health concerns related to asbestos exposure.