REAL LIFE-SAVER

Just because your brother and sister

are born in line with you,

do not expect them

to be supportive relatives;

For have you not observed

an inherited disease

turning a killer

although born with one?

(Do not be disheartened

over the truth I have set out)

for there are still those

not linked with you in birth,

who come to you in succour

in your hour of need,

even as the medicinal herb

growing on a distant hill

is drawn towards you

as cure for your illness…

[Tamil poem from Moodhurai by AVVAIYAR (12^th century A.D) rendered into English by Sage TGN]