41 (b). SELLING FIRE WOOD
The wood cutter demanded an astronomical price for his firewood. Nobody bought them since nobody could afford to buy them!He went round the whole city and sat outside Hemanathan’s house to relax and rest for a awhile. He started singing in order to relax. Hemanathan was drawn by the music like a bee by a flower.
He asked the wood cutter, “Who are you? What is your name?”
The woodcutter replied ,”I am not so famous as to be known by my name. I am an admirer of Paanabadhran and his music. I wanted to learn from him. But he would not teach me as I am too old to learn.So I became a wood cutter.”
Hemanathan requested him to sing again. The wood cutter set the strings of his yazh and sang a difficult raga. Hemanathan began to melt in the music.
If a man who had not even learned music can sing so well, what bout the guru whom he admires so much? He got frightened by the possibility of his defeat and ran away in the middle of the night with all his disciples.
When the king summoned Hemanathan for the contest, the house was found deserted.
Siva appeared in the dream of Paanan and told him that Hemanaathan had fled during the night. The King came
to know the part played by Siva in this drama.
He was very happy to honor Panan with a ride on the royal elephant in the streets of Madurai. He showered many gifts on Paanan-who shared them with his disciples.
Paanan continued to worship Siva though his songs and music as before.



