Each gives what he has!

History has it that when the ancient Chinese decided to live in peace, they made the Great Wall of China; they thought no one could climb it due to its height. During the first 100 years of its existence, the Chinese were invaded thrice and every time, the hordes of enemy infantry had no need of penetrating or climbing over the wall, because each time, they bribed the guards and came through the doors.

The Chinese built the wall but forgot the character-building of the wall-guards. Though the Great Wall has over the years become a powerful symbol of the country's enduring strength and spirit, but it has actually been a good reminder to the Chinese of the superiority of the human character.

The Chinese realised much later that the best defence against the enemy is not a fortified wall but a fortified character. Thus, the building of human character comes before building of anything else.

William Shakespeare captured it succinctly when he said : "The fault is not in our stars but in ourselves".

Peter Schutz, the former chief executive officer of Porsche said : "Hire character; train skills".

Back in the days when Germany was divided, a huge wall separated East and West Berlin.

One day, some people in East Berlin took a truck load of garbage and dumped it on the West Berlin side.

The people of West Berlin could have done the same thing but they didn't. Instead they took a truck load of canned goods, bread, milk and other provision sand neatly stacked it on East Berlin side. 

On top of this stack they placed the sign : "EACH GIVES WHAT HE HAS".

How very true! You can only give what you have.

Tailpiece.

Got up on the dot at 6, the chores and was just in time to receive the Rajah Medical team that had come to collect our samples. Wished Maman many happy returns. Had an early breakfast to be ready, by 9, for the post prandial blood sample collection.

Went out with Bijeesh, the plumber-cum-electrician, in our Chevy to pick up a few spares to carry out repairs. On return topped up the Chevy with fuel and checked the tyre pressure.

Systematically shut down The Quarterdeck by sunset. Incidentally, Kittu stayed with us alost throughout the day. Has he come to know that we'd be away, albeit, for a short while?