1218. Following familiar ways

நீர்ப்பாய்ச்சும் தந்தை குனிவறிவான் மைந்தனுமேநீர்ப்பாய்ச்சும் அக்குனிவின் கீழ்

neerppaayschum thandai kunivarivaan maindanumeneerppaayschum akkunivin keezh

The father watering the field knows that stoop; the son knows it too, watering in that same stoop.

Same work, same bend in the back: what passes down is the father’s labour and the very posture of it.

1219. Taking turns carrying

ஒருகை அலுத்தால் மறுகை சுமக்கும்இருகையும் ஒன்றே உடல்

orukai aluthaal marukai sumakkumirukaiyum ondre udal

When one hand grows tired of carrying, the other hand takes up the load; both hands are one and the same body.

1220. Different ways together

ஒருவிளக்கின் பற்றிரியும் வேறுவே றாடும்இருள்கடிவ தொன்றே யெனின்

oruvilakkin patririyum veruve raadumirulkadiva thondre yenin

The many wicks of one lamp may each sway its own way, so long as one light drives off the dark.

A traditional Tamil oil lamp holds several wicks in one bowl, each flame flickering on its own.