Ramabrahmam, his father <br />And Seethamma his mother <br />Led a pious-humble life <br />Under a thatched roof. <br /> <br />The thatched roof <br />Wasn’t leak proof, <br />As it allowed rain water <br />To seep in everywhere. <br /> <br />King Sarabhoji of Thanjavur, <br />Gave, as a gift, to his father, <br />A good house, well built, <br />On hearing his pitiable plight. <br /> <br />At first, he earnestly felt, <br />That he didn’t deserve it, <br />But he had to yield later <br />To the king’s kind pressure. <br /> <br />In the royal court, <br />The king gave a gift, <br />As an encouragement <br />To any deserving poet. <br /> <br />To the new house, they moved. <br />For some days, there they lived. <br />But later he gave it a Brahmin <br />Who had no house to live in. <br /> <br />Back to his leaking hut, <br />With all cheers, he went, <br />That showed well his spirit <br />Of sacrifice and contentment. <br /> <br />Yes, it was no wonder, <br />If this kind of a father <br />Was blessed with a son, <br />As a noble saintly person. <br /> <br />They were not so keen <br />On any wealth to earn, <br />Despite their talent <br />In the arts they had learnt.<br /><br />Rajaram Ramachandran<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/06-thyagaraja-under-a-thatched-roof/
