MON AMI
by S. K. SENGUPTA
The small island
of Mauritius looked beautiful in
the Indian Ocean , as the plane began to encircle it to land
on the Plaisance Airport
. Looking through the window , Anita fastened the seat-belt . She was here on a
brief trip to meet her close friend Himla .
“Hi!”
Himla was all smiles as she kissed and embraced Anita . “ How long is your stay
, you did not mention .”
“ A
long time . Five days .”
“
Not very long . But you can see the island well . And I’m on leave . So , we
can have a great time .”
As
the car moved along the wide streets , the green open fields and the jagged
mountains presented a captivating sight .
“
I’ve cooked octopuss and tortoise meat for you .”
“
Aha !” Anita chuckled .
“
We will be home by 9 AM . Freshen up a little . We
will then pack-up our lunch and leave for Mon Choisy Beach .”
Anita
sipped through the orange juice . “ It’s a beautiful restaurant” , she remarked
as she looked at the enchanting ocean-waves breaking on the Mon Choisy Beach .
“
You wanted to meet Monami , Anita . I have invited him here .”
“
Oh ! yeah . I have heard so much about him .” Anita was excited .
“
You know , Anita , Monami is not his real name . He is a trainer in applied
psychology . He gives simple tips . If you follow them , they prove to be very
powerful .So , friends call him Monami . Mon Ami is a French expression .It
means My Friend .”
“
Sounds like a great guy , Himla . I would like to have some tips from him.”
“
There he comes ,” Himla exclaimed . “ Talk of him and …..”
Anita
turned around to look . A tall , handsome man in his early fifties was
approaching them.
“
Hi Himla !”
“
Hi Monami ! Meet my friend Anita .”
“
Hi !”
“
Hi ! I am so excited to meet you .” Anita shok hands with him .
“
Hi Anita ! Himla told me about you . I came here just to meet you . In fact I’m
leaving for London tonight . So now was the
only time that I could meet you .”
“ I
heard so much about you from Himla . You give simple tips to people which go a
long way to improve their lives . In fact , I’m looking for some such tips from
you .”
Monami
smiled . “ Maybe my tips were useful for Himla , and she is praising me out of
all proportion . All the same , Anita , what’s your occupation ?”
Himla
meanwhile called the waiter and ordered an orange juice for Monami. “Anything
to eat ?”
“
No . Thanks Himla .”
“
Okay .” The waiter went away . Himla paused and then spoke up ,
“ Monami , Anita is a business person . She is
also active with some social groups . She has to keep on interacting with a
stream of people .”
“
Fine .” Monami looked straight into the eyes of Anita . “You want some tips ?!
Here it is . Ask two questions to as many people as you can .”
Anita
asked searchingly , “ What are the two questions ?”
“
Ask what do they admire in you , and ask what do they dislike in you .”
“
Okay . What more ? Is that all ?”
“
Yeah , that’s all !”
“
How’s it great ?”
“
Try it . You’ll know it .”
Anita
looked puzzled . Himla smiled and addressed Anita , “ That’s Monami ! His tips sound too simple to be of
any good use . But they are gunpowder .”
Meanwhile
the boy served orange juice . Monami lifted the glass . The expression on his
face was as profound and unfathomable as the Indian Ocean spread before their eyes .”
Anita
still looked perplexed . “ But , Monami people may not tell me frankly about my
weaknesses on my face .”
“Ensure
that .”
“
How ?”
“
Tell them that you have specially selected them for your growth . Tell them to
be blunt and open with you . Tell them that you are asking for their frank
comments and you won’t be upset to hear the truth . Tell them that you will be
grateful to them if they take courage in hand and tell you all about your
weaknesses . Tell them to take their time and think before giving their frank
and complete replies .”
Anita
looked thoughtful .
Monami
continued : “ It is not an easy exercise . It may shock you and may rock your
entire world . You will learn much about yourself that you are not aware of .”
“
How should I use the feedback ?”
“
Don’t work on it . Let it work on you !” Monami gave a deep look to
Anita . “ And after the interview is over ,
thank the person who has given you the feedback . Let him know that you did not
mind his frank and courageous views . In fact , tell him again that you are
grateful to him .”
The
brief , straight words of Monami were having a profound hold on Anita.
“ I
have to go now . I have to catch the evening flight .”
“
Thanks for your words , and that you came to meet me .” Anita shook hands with
Monami with a grateful look . Himla and Anita waved as Monami slowly walked
away .
Five
days later Anita was at the airport for her return-journey . “Remember Monami
?” Himla asked smilingly .
“
Yeah , I’m serious . I’ll try out whatever he said .”
“
Yes , do that . And let me know what happens .”
“ There’s
time for the flight ,” Anita said . “ Why don’t I begin with you ?”
“
What d’you mean ? You want me to answer your two questions ?”
“
Yes , give me a straight talk . What d’you like in me ?”
“
You are so pretty , lovable and friendly . You are a great friend , very
reliable . And you are very committed to people and your work . That makes you
a great person .”
“
Thanks . You make me feel great .” Anita took a long breath . “ And what do you
hate in me ?”
“
You are very argumentative and loud-mouthed at times . You become rigid on
issues and antagonize people . Often you hurt people with rude remarks . I
guess that’s the only thing which I would like you to give up .”
Anita
was disturbed . She never thought she is that way . Himla’s words pierced through
her and made her visibly uneasy . She had not realized that the exercise would
really shake her up . But she knew she owed thanks to Himla . “ Thanks Himla .
It really takes courage to give frank comments which you did for my good .
Thanks to you . Thanks to Monami .”
Soon
there was a call for the passengers . Himla and Anita hugged each other .
As
Anita headed for the aircraft , the words of Himla were ringing in her ears : “
You are friendly , lovable , pretty , reliable and committed . But you are argumentative
, loud-mouthed , rigid and rude at times .” Anita shook her head as she
remembered the words of Monami : “ Don’t work on the feedback , let it work on
you .” It was indeed working on her , so she thought .
As
the plane took off , Anita looked down through the window . The island below
looked beautiful .
Anita
was still thinking of Monami .
The author , Shri
S.K.Sengupta , is a Management Consultant ,
Behavioural
Scientist and Personal Counsellor .He can be contacted at :
Mobile : 9810002413 .
E-mail : d2wd2w@rediffmail.com
