224. Work out of sight

அசையா மரமென்றார் அற்றபின் கண்டார்இசையா தியங்கிய வேர்

asaiyaa maramendraar atrapin kandaarisaiyaa thiyangiya ver

They called it the unmoving tree. After it was severed, they saw its roots, which had been moving without a sound.

225. Work leaves evidence

நூறுமுறை மாவரைத்த கல்லின் வழுவழுப்பேகூறாமல் கூறும் குரல்

noorumurai maavaraitha kallin vazhuvazhuppekooraamal koorum kural

The stone that has ground flour a hundred times: its smoothness is a voice that speaks without speaking.

226. The unseen cost

ஊனுருக்கி ஆக்கியதை ஊரறியும் ஆக்கியவன்தானுருகல் யாரறி வார்

oonurukki aakkiyadhai oorariyum aakkiyavanthaanurukal yaarari vaar

The town knows what was made with melting flesh; who knows that the maker himself was melting?

In Tamil, ‘melting the flesh’ means toil that wastes the body; the same words can also mean rendering meat to cook a dish.