Taming Life’s Trials

In the quiet village of Sampatti, nestled among the vast farmlands of Tamil Nadu, lived Thang Arani, a bright young woman born into a family of farmers. Despite her agricultural roots, she had always been drawn to the world of academics. Her passion for learning was fueled by her determination to rise above her circumstances. From a young age, she excelled in her studies, scoring top marks in her SSLC and HSC exams. Even without any formal coaching, Thang Arani’s dedication led her to clear the prestigious JEE exam, earning her a place in the Computer Science and Engineering program at IIT Madras.

However, stepping into the modern world of the IIT campus was a jarring experience. Thang Arani had never used a computer before and found it difficult even to turn one on. English, the medium of instruction, felt like a barrier, and she struggled to keep up with her classmates. The more she tried, the more she felt out of place—alienated by the unfamiliar environment and the subtle sense of inferiority that seemed to loom over her.

Amidst these challenges, a ray of hope came in the form of Abdul Karim, a kind-hearted classmate from Chennai. Unlike the others, he noticed her struggles and extended a helping hand without hesitation. Abdul was patient, offering to teach her everything from switching on a computer to browsing the internet. His encouragement became the lifeline she needed, slowly helping her regain her confidence.

Through Abdul’s support, Thang Arani began to adjust to the city culture. By her second year, she had mastered the art of navigating the academic world, and by her third year, she had become a topper in her class. Her once timid self now stood tall, and she even found herself helping Abdul with his final project. A bond of friendship grew between them, built on mutual respect, kindness, and shared experiences of overcoming difficulties.

The Send-Off and Abdul’s Confession

During the send-off meeting for their graduating class, the air was filled with nostalgia and the bittersweet realization that their journey at IIT was coming to an end. As the evening progressed, Abdul found the courage to express his feelings to Thang Arani. He confessed that over the years, his admiration for her had blossomed into love. He admired not just her intellect but her perseverance, her humility, and the way she faced challenges with grace. Thang Arani, too, had grown fond of Abdul. She appreciated his patience, his unwavering support, and the genuine care he had shown her from the beginning.

However, Thang Arani was torn. She respected her father deeply, and she knew that her father’s approval would be essential for any future decisions. She told Abdul, “I do like you, but if you truly wish to marry me, you’ll need to seek my father’s blessing. He’s a broad-minded man and respects my feelings, but he will have his own conditions.”

The Test of True Love

A week later, Abdul traveled to Sampatti to meet Thang Arani’s father. As a man of tradition, her father greeted Abdul with warmth but soon grew serious when the topic of marriage arose. After hearing Abdul’s intentions, he gave him a challenge—one deeply rooted in the culture of their village.

“If you can participate in Jallikattu and win against any one of my three bulls, I will give you my daughter’s hand in marriage,” her father said. Abdul’s heart raced. He had never participated in Jallikattu, a sport known for its danger and the sheer strength required to tame a bull. But his love for Thang Arani outweighed his fear, and he agreed to the challenge, determined to prove his worth.

As the competition began, the first bull was released. It charged into the field with fierce energy, and Abdul’s courage faltered. He stepped back, letting the bull pass without attempting to engage it. “I’ll try the next one,” he thought, hoping the next bull would be less intimidating.

When the second bull emerged, it was still powerful, but Abdul hesitated once again, thinking the third one would surely be weaker. He let the second bull pass by too.

Finally, the third bull appeared. As Abdul had predicted, it was thin and weak. “This is my chance,” he thought, confident that this would be the easiest victory. But when he moved closer to grab its tail—following the advice given by an old man earlier—he discovered that this bull had no tail at all. The opportunity slipped away, and with it, his chance to win the challenge.

The Real Test: Perseverance and Love

Dejected, Abdul sat by the side of the field, feeling the weight of his failure. He had missed all three opportunities. As he reflected on what had happened, a realization dawned upon him: life’s opportunities don’t always come in the form you expect, and sometimes, you only realize their value after they’ve passed.

But more importantly, he recognized that love—true love—wasn’t about proving yourself in competitions or physical challenges. It was about perseverance, humility, and a deep emotional connection. Abdul stood up, walked back to Thang Arani’s father, and spoke from his heart.

“Sir,” he began, “I know I failed the challenge you gave me. I could have tried harder, but my love for your daughter is not measured by my ability to win Jallikattu. My love is built on patience, respect, and the promise to stand by her side through all of life’s challenges, no matter how many bulls I face in the future.”

Her father listened intently, impressed by Abdul’s sincerity. He had expected Abdul to give up after the failed attempts, but here he stood, showing the qualities that mattered most in life and love—perseverance, respect, and the strength to continue even after failure.

“Abdul,” Thang Arani’s father said with a warm smile, “I respect your honesty and your determination. You may not have tamed the bulls, but you’ve shown me something far more important. You’ve shown me that you understand what true love is—the kind that endures, that doesn’t give up, and that seeks to grow stronger over time.”

A New Beginning: Love Conquers All

Thang Arani, who had been watching from a distance, approached Abdul with tears of joy in her eyes. She had seen his courage, not in the competition but in his willingness to learn from his failures and keep trying. In that moment, she knew that their love was something far deeper than infatuation or a fleeting crush. It was built on mutual respect, kindness, and the strength to face life’s challenges together.

Her father gave them his blessing, not because Abdul had passed the test of Jallikattu, but because he had passed the test of perseverance and love.

As Abdul and Thang Arani embarked on their journey together, they realized that the true test of life wasn’t about seizing every opportunity perfectly, but about staying committed, learning from failures, and never giving up on each other. They faced many challenges along the way—career struggles, societal pressures, and personal trials—but through it all, their love only grew stronger.

The Moral of the Story:

Life will always present challenges, sometimes in unexpected forms. But true success comes not from winning every battle, but from having the perseverance to keep going, the patience to learn from your mistakes, and the love to stand by the ones who matter. Abdul and Thang Arani’s journey teaches us that love, built on mutual respect and understanding, will always give you another chance—even after you’ve missed the first three bulls.

In the end, it’s not about the opportunities you miss but the ones you create through perseverance, patience, and love.