a story.. maybe not authentic.. but which has done the rounds among the scholastic circle many times--. a story underlining the effectiveness of just giving out a few nice words..
Kalidasa and Bhartruhari happened to reside incognito in one place on one day, and one fine morning they were sitting together under a peepul tree panning to have a fine chew of pan..
Suddenly it was found that choornam or chunnaambu (powdered lime) was missing. So their chewing session was stumped.
They saw a young girl walking along carrying a pan box, as Bharthurhari, the king, forgetting that he was moving incognito, told the lady.. choornamaanay me sheeghram..चूर्णमानाय मे शीघ्रं 'you get me some choornam immediately' and this call evoked little response..
but Kalidasa quickly added.. poorna chandra nibhaananey..पूर्णचन्द्र निभानने " oh Girl with a face resembling full moon"
and the girl was very happy to give them what they wanted..
So, a little or praise, in place, or out of context, always help..Why should one be stingy in words?
प्रियवाक्यप्रदानेन
सर्वे तुष्यन्ति जन्तवः ।
तस्मात् तदेव वक्तव्यं
वचने किं दरिद्रता॥
Priyavaakyapradaanene sarve thushyanti jantavaH
tasmaat tadeva vakthavyam vachane kim daridrataa
Meaning
all beings would be happy to receive nice words.. so we should always speak such words alone.. why should we act stingy in giving good words?