953. Finding our place

ஒருகல் சிறிதென்றான் ஒப்பில்லை என்றான்வரிசையாய் வைத்தான் மதில்

orukal siridhendraan oppillai endraanvarisaiyaai vaithaan madhil

He called one stone small; he said it had no partner. He laid stones in a row: a wall.

The Tamil for ‘no partner’ also means ‘without equal’, so the stone is both alone and unmatched.

954. Working between sides

ஓரிழையால் நெய்யான் நெசவன் இருபுறமும்ஊடாடும் கையே துணி

orizhaiyaal neyyaan nesavan irupuramumoodaadum kaiye thuni

A weaver does not weave with one thread; the hand that crosses back and forth between both sides is the cloth.

Each pass of the weaver’s hand lays one thread from side to side; cloth is nothing but that hand’s going and coming, row on row.

955. Less friction together

பொருந்தா அரைகல் அரைக்குமோசை கேட்கும்பொருந்தின் ஒலியற் றது

porundaa araikal araikkumosai kedkumporundin oliyar radhu

A grinding stone that does not fit is heard as it grinds; one that fits grinds in silence.