Clean Vs Dirty 🧼🚫

In school, Arumuga never bothered to keep his desk or bag clean. His notebooks were messy, his lunchbox would stay unwashed, and his clothes were often stained. One day, during a class activity, his teacher asked the students to help with a group project. Arumuga’s group members didn’t want to sit with him because they found his habits unpleasant.

Feeling left out, Arumuga went home upset. His mother explained,

“Cleanliness shows respect for yourself and for others. When you take care of your things and your body, people will feel you will take care of them too!”

At home, Valli would often leave her toys, books, and clothes lying around the house. Her parents would constantly remind her to tidy up, but Valli didn’t listen. One day, when her cousins came over to play, they struggled to find space in her messy room and didn’t want to play anymore. They ran back to Valli’s aunt, begging her to go take them back home to play in their room.

Later, her mother gently said,

“When we keep our space clean, it’s easier for everyone to feel comfortable and happy.”

Valli felt bad that her cousins didn’t have fun, so she decided to clean her room regularly. The next time her cousins visited, they had a great time playing in her neat, organized room.

In the Panchatantra, there’s a story of a crow and a swan. The crow, living in dirt and filth, envied the beautiful swan, which always bathed in clean waters and looked graceful. One day, the crow tried to join the swan in a clean pond, but the other birds shooed it away because it didn’t take care of itself. The crow realized that cleanliness was key to gaining respect.

“Cleanliness is the sign of self-respect; a neat and orderly life leads to health and happiness.”
— Thirukural 298