Eunuchs

In Delhi, whenever a child is born,

it is usual for about ten eunuchs

to visit the house,

and to sing and dance there

for money.

I like this North Indian custom-

a rather fine gesture,

it seems to me,

by those unable to sire children

to get excited hearing about

the birth of a child.

Ilango Adigal wrote about

North Indian eunuchs

and their false breasts,

but not about this custom of theirs.

I do regret the omission.

However, if the entire world

turns eunuch,

not a child will be born.

Where will eunuchs then,

I wonder, sing and dance

for money?

I have no answer.

Note: Ilango Adigal was a Jaina monk to whom the fifth-century Tamil epic, the Cilappatikaram (The Tale of an Anklet), is traditionally attributed.