Naapita - (Barber)

नापित
(Barber)

A barber is a very important person. Even a king bows his head brefore a barber.

A barber used to shave the king every morning on the terrace of the palace. The two used to talk a lot during the shaving operation. The barber often would ask the king to make him minister and see how good he is.

One morning, the king saw a big crowd on the bank of the river. After the shave, the king asked the barber to find out why the crowd has gathered. The barber went and returned . A foreigner had come. The king sent him again to get more details. He is a Harikathaa Daasa, reported the barber. Will he perform in our court?, the king wanted to know. Another trip and the barber confirmed he was ready. At what fees? Finally, the barber went and came back - Rs 200/ , he said.

Just then, the minister came and saluted the king. He submitted - I saw a crowd on the river bank. On enquiry, I found a foreigner has come and is a Harikathaa exponent. Your majesty likes to hear harikatha. So I offered him Rs.150 for a harikathaa this evening, expecting your approval. The king looked at the barber and smiled. Barber is a barber and a minister is a minister.

But then barbers are good as barbers. When I sit for a haircut, I hear the rhythmic sound as the scissors click and clack and bunches of hair fall down. When I feel all is over, he will not leave me. He is a perfectionist. A snip here and a snap there. He keeps you on the chair even longer. I never found any difference but he takes his sweet time to release you.

A man must have pride in his work. A cobbler on the roadside recognises people by their footwear without raising his eyes which are glued to the job on hand. He is delighted when he spots a shoe which had passed through his hands for repairs and the great job he had done on it.

Happiness is not in admiration of your work or status of your profession. Happiness is in doing your job well.