Tales with a Sweet Start, but an Unexpected Turn: Krishna Shastri Devulapalli's Accounts
In a rather amusing twist not too long ago, as the holiday cheer was in the air, I found a surprising gift box on my doorstep, courtesy of someone who at best could be classified as a casual acquaintance. Our only previous encounter was a brief one at a party, and she just so happened to belong to one of the most influential families in Chennai. Receiving a gift from such a socialite was a pleasant surprise indeed, and perhaps I had finally crack the upper echelons of society.
Upon sharing the news with my wife, I couldn't help but ask, "So, what do you think now? Finally, I've made it, haven't I?" Her response was casual, yet reassuring: "Yes, dear," she said sweetly, earning a sly smile. It seemed as though my wife was simmering with jealousy beneath her calm facade.
Inspired by my newfound status, I decided to pen a heartfelt, yet charming thank-you note to the socialite, with the hopes of securing an invitation to more of her elegant soirees. Fueled by gratitude, I sent the note and indulged in the thoughtfully curated assortment of sweets, which I had no intention of sharing with my wife.
To my dismay, upon a second look at the handwritten card, I realized that the gift hadn't come from the socialite-billionairess as I had presumed, but from an old friend whose name bore a striking resemblance to mine. A quick call to my friend confirmed that the gift was indeed hers, and the note I had received was the printed one she had sent to everyone.
The following day, as I pondered how to rectify my irreversible thank-you faux pas, a delivery boy arrived at the doorstep with a box of sweets, this time from the socialite herself. It seems that a pre-emptive thank-you note can be quite a powerful tool when used wisely.
One of my dearest, oldest friends has a knack for gifting me with intriguing stories that have found their way into three of my books. This story is no exception.
Recently, my old friend, whom we'll refer to as RR, was facing some troubles. To seek a remedy, his aging parents consulted a godman, who arrived in a fancy car and performed a series of calculations and rituals. He then declared that a specific amount of lead must be buried in the south-west corner of the house to address their troubles. RR enlisted the help of his assistant to purchase the lead and carry out the instructions.
Back at home, RR's mother received the parcel of lead, and in an unexpected twist, it turned out to be a box of Grand Sweets Laddu. The result, as it happens, was that I received one kg of those delicious treats. All's well that ends well, with a bit of humor mixed in.
In the midst of this intriguing scenario, I decided to express my gratitude for the unexpected Grand Sweets Laddu through a heartfelt note, hoping it might lead to an invitation to a future food-and-drink gathering or home-and-garden event hosted by the culprit. As I delved deeper into the lifestyle of the upper echelons, I realized the importance of thoughtful gestures and perhaps, the power of a well-timed, well-worded thank-you note.
