The Success Secrets of Uncle Pavithran
“Every helpful act, every kind word, every kept promise adds a little ‘value’ to an invisible account in someone’s mind. Over time, that value earns ‘interest’—and the interest is trust. The more value you add, the stronger the trust becomes.”
One bright January morning, Uncle Pavithran joined Murali and Grandpa’s daily walking group. He was the newest member of the neighbourhood and had only recently retired. Before that, he had led the human resources department of a large company, travelling to many countries and major cities across India. Now settled in a house nearby, he accepted Grandpa’s warm invitation to walk with the group. Uncle Pavithran was humble, cheerful, and full of gentle humour. Everyone looked forward to hearing his experiences.
One day, Uncle Damodar asked, “How difficult was it to manage so many people?”
“It was never simple,” Uncle Pavithran replied with a smile. “My job was to pick the perfect people for the company and help them do things fast, work smart, and stay super happy. Most importantly, I had to glue them together so they worked like one big, strong team. It was tough, yet deeply rewarding.”
“Rewarding?” someone wondered aloud.
“Indeed,” he continued. “When you break a large challenge into smaller steps and solve them one by one, the process becomes enjoyable. Success follows, and soon you begin to love the challenge itself. This is true for any task—whether at work, school, or home.”
Grandpa nodded. “What kept your team so closely connected?”
“They shared both work troubles and personal worries with me,” Uncle Pavithran explained. “For job problems, they wanted solutions. For personal matters, they sought advice. That showed trust. People open their hearts only when they feel safe. Trust, therefore, was the bond that held us together.”
“You are absolutely right,” said Uncle Damodar. “But building strong trust takes time. How did you do it?”
“Trust grows slowly, like money saved in a bank,” Uncle Pavithran answered. “Every helpful act, every kind word, every kept promise adds a little ‘value’ to an invisible account in someone’s mind. Over time, that value earns ‘interest’—and the interest is trust. The more value you add, the stronger the trust becomes.”
“What a clear picture!” exclaimed another walker. “And if someone breaks a promise?”
“Then value is withdrawn,” Uncle Pavithran said. “A small mistake takes away a little. A serious breach can empty the account completely—and turn friends into strangers.”
Murali listened in silence, his young mind turning over the idea. Who holds an account for me? Do I hold one for others? A quiet conversation began inside his head.
On another morning, someone asked, “Did you solve every problem your team brought to you?”
“No one can solve everything,” Uncle Pavithran replied honestly. “But listening with an open heart can lighten the burden greatly. When people share their worries with someone they trust, simply being heard brings relief. Often, that alone solves half the problem.”
Grandpa added, “Listening shows respect. It tells the other person, ‘Your feelings matter. I understand.’”
Murali thought about his own life—at school with friends, at home with family—and wondered how these lessons might fit.
***
Life Skills Introduced in This Chapter
Building Trust in Relationships: Earn trust gradually by being helpful, caring, and keeping promises—like adding value to a “mental bank account.”
Active Listening: Listen with full attention and an open mind. This reduces stress for others and shows respect, even if no solution is needed.
Enjoying Challenges: Turn big tasks into small, manageable steps. Celebrate each success until the work itself becomes enjoyable.
Self-Reflection: Pause to consider how ideas apply to your own life—such as asking, “Who trusts me? Do I trust them?”
Learning from Elders: Pay careful attention when experienced adults share stories. Their wisdom offers valuable guidance for daily life.
