Thank you, Marthanda Tondaiman?

When guests who aren't your relatives offer you something, don't assume that its always going to be free. I learned that the hard way. This dude, my chaperon, kept begging me to death if I wanted any sweets. I tried to tell him no, no, and no. But he persisted so I went to this counter where they sold hulvas and other oiled, soiled sweets. When I bought the items, he told me the amount and that I had to pay for myself and for him. I could have killed him but he thought he was "sweet."

Another problem was the Tamil strangers who kept asking me to fill their immigration card when they were entering and leaving Chennai airport. When I entered India, I had this guy at the baggage claim asked me where he was going and what it said on the ticket. What? Another time, I had this lady give me her card when the plane was about to land and said nothing. So, I sat there and did nothing. Finally, she asked me in Tamil to fill out the card and told her story about why she was there and so on. I filled it out. Geez, Louise! It wasn't over, yet. When I landed in Trichy from Malaysia, another dude tried to put his immigration card in my hand. I motioned with my fingers in giving me some cash. He shut up right there and filled the card out.

Mr. or King Marthanda---I don't know who you are or what you are. But your insignificance made a lasting impression on the town of Pudukkottai. Funny thing, you didn't understand why family and leaders made an issue of your insignifcance, but they did. You certainly showed that you can be an Englishman without leaving your homeland. Did they allow you to hang out with "other Indians" when you were a child? If so, did they beat you in games like kabaddi and then noticed that they lost to English kids? There excuse, the English are better. So, you became one.

Word had it that you went to England to study literature, academics, and women. Did being a chosen king at eleven put pressure on you or was it the Dewan (city manager)Seshayya Sastri that tried to counsel you in not spending so much on travel and horse races? Instead, he wanted you to rule with authority and bring modernization to Pudukottai. Too much, pressure or you didn't want the pressure? Did you feel disconnected with the Indian people and heck, did you feel that everything went to the British and that wasn't going to change?

Finally, did you love Molly or just wanted to prove a point? The point that nobody cares about the people of Pudukkottai including the Dewan and King George. Whatever it is, you certainly left a lasting significance in secret and the town stills pays for it. But it wasn't your fault. You tried to be honest in your endeavors. Maybe if anything, you will be appreciated for that by important folks. Certainly, the people of Pudukkottai appreciate you. A street is named after you.