When a product that we buy lets us down with shoddy performance, many of us tend to react by complaining, and perhaps rightly so. But think about it. How often do we try to be vocal in our appreciation when we come across outstanding products?
My dad, a retired professor, now in his late seventies, took one such initiative in my childhood and in the process demonstrated to his five children the power of expressing gratitude.
Tears of Nostalgia
My elder sister had delivered her baby and was yet to be discharged from a hospital in Tuticorin where we lived then. A teenager, I was running errands, shuttling between home and hospital. Reaching our house, I was shocked to see my father sitting alone in a room, with tears trickling down his cheeks.
“What worries you dad ?” I walked up to him and asked. Pointing to something on the table, he said, “Worry ? Nay, my son. Sheer ecstasy on seeing that member of our house! “Member ? I see no one around, dad.”
I was concerned about his emotional state when he snapped, “You mean only the animate can qualify as members? What about that majestic vacuum flask sitting on the table? It has been with me through thick and thin.” He started pouring out as moisture laced his eyes.
“I bought this flask three decades ago. It has stayed with me through your mother's five deliveries. There were times when your mother or I or some relative who visited us took ill. Every time, this flask would be pressed into service and it would flawlessly dish out piping hot water, steaming horlicks or sizzling filter coffee.
New Body for the Soul
“Just before your sister's delivery, I noticed that the outer shell of the flask had rusted. I took it to a local store and the salesperson transformed it, replacing the outer tin sheet. In this new avatar, the flask has started to faithfully serve gen next.”
“I am sorry I didn't know its history, dad.”
“Ah, it is ok. I was just thinking of sending a letter of admiration on the tireless performance of this marvel to its manufacturer — of how it has stood by me for so long... Of how I managed to get a new body for its soul and so on...”
Glittering new arrival
Three months later, one fine day, when family members had gathered for a ceremony, our postman brought a registered letter and parcel for dad. My father opened the letter first. It was signed personally by the managing director (MD) of the flask manufacturing company. He had thanked my father profusely for the and added that the company had published it in its corporate magazine, a copy of which had been enclosed.
The MD went on, “As a token of our ‘thanks' to you, we have sent you our latest model of a stainless steel, two-litre flask. Please use this and give us your treasured feedback .”
My proud father unveiled the parcel and heartily welcomed a glittering new flask to our household, or rather, let me say one more new member to our family!