Thy Name is IDIOT!

Annamalai was a prominent merchant in Anandapur. He thrived in business, which necessitated the services of quite a few accountants and clerks. One of them was Ganesh. While everyone eagerly awaited their salaries and spent their time chatting, Ganesh diligently carried out his job punctually. Whenever he found spare time, he even completed the work of others who were merely wasting their time. Annamalai took notice of this.

One day, Annamalai became so frustrated that he exclaimed, “There are quite a few people here who do nothing except chat. If I see them indulging in wasting time again, I shall give them a title and call them IDIOTS.” Some employees felt ashamed and adjusted their behavior, but two or three continued to chat whenever their boss was not looking. Despite their negligence, Ganesh continued to help them with their work.

Eventually, Annamalai confronted Ganesh. “You’re an IDIOT!” he said.

Ganesh was puzzled by this accusation, as he never neglected his responsibilities. He waited for an explanation. “You’re doing the work of others!” said the zaminder.

Understanding his master’s perspective, Ganesh replied, “Sir, henceforth I won’t undertake the work of others here. I shall confine myself to my own duties.” With this resolution, Ganesh reaffirmed his commitment to his work and demonstrated the importance of personal responsibility in a workplace fraught with complacency.