Of lasting lessons learnt

Donald NUGAWELA

This is a three part account or better a trilogy of lessons taught by three well meaning gentlemen at three different times. It taught me humility and impressed on me that time like the tide waits for no man. It also taught me that work was service and integrity could make life sublime and that there are simple solutions for problems we create for ourselves through carelessness and indifference.

On a Saturday afternoon after a hard half day's work my boss an Englishman invited me for tea on Sunday 4.00 pm. Young and with money to spend freely I had other ideas on how I would spend my Sunday rather than sit out a boring afternoon with an old couple and share with them a typical English afternoon tea of buns, cake, scones and jam tart. Yet the invitation carried a strong hint of an order and I said, yes sir, tomorrow Sunday 4.00 pm. Thank you. As fate would have it a whole car load of friends descended on me on Sunday for lunch.

With beer flowing freely I lost count of time until my agitated domestic cornered me to remind of my obligation to the boss. It was well past four o'clock when I turned up at the boss's bungalow. The butler with almost a sneer on his dusky face told me pompously that big master and lady are just about finishing tea and would like you Sir to come next Sunday at 4.00 pm.

Wonderful people

Thoroughly abashed at my unforgivable lapse I dreaded meeting my boss on Monday morning. Shortly after 9.00 am he sent for me and smiling broadly told me young man 4 o' clock is 4 o'clock. Not any time after 4.00 pm. You must learn to keep time if you are to go anywhere in life. Be there next Sunday at 4 pm, he said gruffly waving aside my apologies. On Sunday I was there 15 minutes early and entertained to a sumptuous tea by two wonderful people sharp at 4 pm. The lesson on time has lasted since.

When stationed in Passara in the early 50s I applied for my driving licence. The Examiner was based at the Badulla Kachcheri and gave me a date for my test. He was an honourable gentleman and a very strict examiner and many dreaded appearing before him. Most of us knew him and though elder to us he would join us for a drink or two at the Public Services Club at sun down. He would join in our conversation and was our friend. I got a shock of my life when I called over at his office to be tested. He told me seriously not to expect any favours.

Driving safely

His duty he said was to pass good and competent drivers to take their place on the highway. Having said that he failed me the first time. Three months later he passed me after a gruelling test. He would always tell us young people not to drive if tired and weary or after drinks.

He would also tell us to always remember when setting out on a journey one has to return, safely. Not through speed or recklessness but by driving safely. It was on these rules that he guided us young people. His devotion to duty and integrity was beyond question. It was no small wonder that in those times one could drive safely on the roads, thanks mainly to duty conscious public officers of his calibre and for whom work was service and integrity a gift from heaven.

Carelessness caused me several hours of anxiety and fright on a dark and lonely road between Badulla and Passara. I was driving back to Passara from Badulla when the car stalled without petrol.

Middle-aged gentleman

The time was 8 pm by my watch and there was no traffic on the road or any human habitation to seek assistance from. It was dark and eerie except for the fireflies cart-wheeling in the dark background. And it was ominously frightening. Seated in the cold comfort of the car I prayed as never before for all the Gods to save me from this nasty predicament I was in.

Half asleep I heard the high whine of a vehicle taking the stiff climb behind me. I switched on all my lights and waited with a beating heart. The car was one of those old English wonders - a Standard Ten used mainly by planters of those times. At the wheel was a robust middle-aged gentleman, a planter.

I explained my plight and without a word he took out a two-gallon petrol can from the boot and told me to pour in the whole thing and you may return the can to my bungalow tomorrow. Pointing at the dash board of my car he told me print three letters - POW on it to remind you before backing the car out of the garage to check on Petrol, Oil and Water (POW). Do that and you will never find yourself stranded on the high way, at any time of the day or night.

I learnt these lessons fortunately in my youth and profited by them immensely.