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The glory of the Last Man

by P.S. Wasu
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Joel Kaufman
In a society obsessed with rankings and achievements, the last man serves as a poignant reminder of every individual’s inherent worth and dignity, regardless of their position in the hierarchy of success.

My father once took me to an athletic meet when I was a child, an experience that left a lasting impression on me. I vividly recall the intense atmosphere as about 10 competitors lined up at the starting point of a circular track, ready to embark on a challenging race. As the race commenced, one athlete surged ahead, establishing a significant lead over the others.

With each passing round, the gap between the frontrunner and the rest of the pack widened. The athletes resembled a caravan, with one leading by a wide margin, one trailing by a wide margin, and the remainder tightly packed in between. As the frontrunner completed the third round, he was only slightly behind the fellow who brought up the rear. There was a remarkable moment in the fourth and final round when he closed in on the last-place athlete to the wild cheers of the spectators. The spectators cheered wildly for the frontrunner. The cheering reached a crescendo the moment he overtook the last man in the race, still slogging in his third round. 

What struck me most was the reaction of the last-place athlete. Rather than displaying frustration, he offered a thumbs-up to the competitor who overtook him. It was a gesture of true sportsman spirit and resilience that spoke volumes. What I admired about him was that he did not abandon the race after being overtaken by the fellow who was one full round ahead of him. He completed all four rounds at his own slow pace, undeterred by the crowd’s jeering.

In the meantime, the frontrunner had already triumphantly crossed the finish line. The spectators celebrated his victory with enthusiastic cheers while mocking the trailing athlete. 

I did not know why, but I deeply sympathised with the last-place finisher. I was touched by his courage to keep going, even when the odds were stacked against him. I loved his perseverance and dignity in the face of defeat.

ONE MORE LAST MAN

In July 1964, I commenced my journey at Roorkee University in north India. I was a witness to the convocation ceremony for the recently graduated class in November of the same year, a momentous occasion marking the culmination of years of toil for the graduating class. As the chief guest concluded his long and tedious address, anticipation filled the air as the new graduates, adorned in their regal academic attire, prepared to receive their degrees.

As per the university tradition, they stood in a line in order of seniority, which was determined based on their performance. At the head of the line stood the top scorer, while at the tail end was the lowest-scoring graduate. In between were others in descending order of merit. In university parlance, the top scorer was called the ‘senior’ and the lowest scorer the ‘bottom senior.’

As the ceremony commenced and degrees were conferred, the room erupted into cheers and applause for the senior graduate, who was the first to receive the degree. However, as the procession continued, the fervour of the applause gradually tapered off in intensity, echoing the descending order of merit. When it came to the last few graduates, a different sentiment emerged.

The cheering picked up again, but this time, the cheering was to mock those positioned at the tail end of the line. When the time came for the bottom senior to step forward and receive the degree, the mock cheering reached a crescendo, even louder than the cheering for the senior graduate. The hall reverberated with sniggers.

However, amidst the mocking clamour, an unexpected response emerged. The bottom senior, possessing a remarkable sense of humour, gracefully acknowledged the mock cheering with a well-executed mock bow, strangely eliciting a quiet admiration from the audience.

EMBRACING ONE’S OWN JOURNEY

Witnessing the above two incidents got me thinking.

In a world that is often fixated on celebrating achievement, success, and prowess, there is also a narrative that is seldom heard—the tale of the last man. It is not about the victorious, the first in line, or the highest achiever, but rather the quiet saga of one who consistently finds himself at the tail end of life’s competitions and challenges. It is about a man who defies conventional measures of success, discovering his unique glory amid perceived failure.

In academia, the last man stands as the antithesis of the high achiever. He consistently scores the lowest marks in examinations. His name often finds itself at the bottom of class rosters. Similarly, he is the underdog on the sports field. He scores the least in games and usually trails behind his peers. Yet, his spirit remains undaunted. Imbued with endearing enthusiasm, he plays for the love of the game itself. In his perseverance lies a value far greater than the fleeting glory of a win—the enduring strength found in resilience.

In the race of life, he is the one who crosses the finish line last, and his pace reflects his steady and deliberate journey. While others sprint ahead in pursuit of success, he moves forward at his own speed with a panting dignity that earns him mostly ridicule and sometimes sympathetic smiles rather than victory pats.

Economically, he may be the poorest among his siblings, lacking material wealth and possessions. Yet, his richness lies in his feelings of contentment. Even in the chaos of everyday life, he is the last to board a train amidst the scuffle for seats, embodying tranquillity in a world consumed by haste and agitation. His ability to remain calm amidst the frenzy says a lot about his patience in the face of adversity.

In a society obsessed with rankings, achievements, and status, the last man serves as a poignant reminder of every individual’s inherent worth and dignity, regardless of their position in the hierarchy of success. His story challenges us to redefine our understanding of glory and to recognise that true greatness is not measured by outward accomplishments but by the depth of character, perseverance, persistence, and forbearance, notwithstanding our place in the race.

The glory of the last man lies not in his ability to outshine others but in his unwavering commitment to embrace his own journey, however humble it may be. 

Mick Malthouse

Drawing inspiration from the adage, ‘The ox is slow, but the earth is patient,’ football coaches Mick Malthouse and David Buttifant applied its principles to prepare their teams effectively, achieving success. They also used the adage as the title of their famous sportsbook.

A DROLL STORY

Here, I am reminded of Graham Greene’s extremely funny novella, ‘Loser Takes All,’ which presents a comedic narrative centred around Bertram, a divorced, unassuming, and ordinary accountant. A youthful, naive, idealistic Cary, finding his poverty romantic, is attracted to him.

As fate would have it, a flurry of circumstances leads Bertram to acquire a substantial fortune, causing a rift between him and Cary, who is drawn to a struggling student instead. At this stage, Bertram offers a significant sum to the student, who prefers money to Cary. Bertram also tears up the document granting him control of a corporation.

Cary is thrilled that he is back to being his original poor self. She rejoices in the return to their humble beginnings. The couple reconciles, reaffirming their love for each other. 

Greene masterfully navigates the complexities of wealth, love, and personal fulfilment in this charming tale, leaving readers with a heartwarming message of authenticity and connection.

THE TARDY OX

The Tibetan proverb, ‘The ox is slow, but the earth is patient,’ encapsulates profound insights into the passage of time, perseverance, and resilience. Originating from Tibetan agrarian society, where oxen were vital for agricultural tasks, it signifies a deep connection between nature, labour, and the human spirit. The cyclic rhythm of agricultural life—planting, growth, and harvest—underscores the virtues of patience and determination.

While the ox may move slowly, the earth demonstrates remarkable patience, ensuring that the task of ploughing is completed meticulously. Unhurried and steadfast, the earth awaits the natural progression of seasons, the sprouting of seeds, and the eventual harvest. It serves as the bedrock of life, providing sustenance and stability. 

Drawing inspiration from the adage, ‘The ox is slow, but the earth is patient,’ football coaches Mick Malthouse and David Buttifant applied its principles to prepare their teams effectively, achieving success. They also used the adage as the title of their famous sportsbook. 

Indeed, this timeless wisdom can be applied to pursue any goal in life. 

LUCKY HUNCHBACK

I am also reminded of a famous Punjabi saying, which roughly translates to: ‘When a hunchbacked man receives a kick, his hunchback gets corrected in the process.’ This vivid imagery conveys the paradoxical notion that adversity often yields unexpected benefits.

In this saying, the hunchback symbolises a perceived flaw or undesirable trait, while the kick signifies a cruel setback. Despite the initial negativity implied by the kick, the surprising outcome is the hunchback’s healing. This unexpected turn of events highlights the idea that adversity can sometimes lead to positive transformation.

Just as the hunchback’s affliction is unexpectedly alleviated, individuals may find themselves strengthened or discover unforeseen opportunities amidst adversity.

The above article is an extract from P.S. Wasu’s work-in-progress, ‘Wisdom of Being Flawed and Fragmented: Random Reminiscences’.

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