Who do you think was the most beautiful lady among the guests at last night’s wedding Reception? I asked my husband who doesn’t hesitate to offer his candid opinion, that is if invited to do so.
After a long silence, he gave a monosyllabic answer.
Why do you think so? You mean to say you found none of the ladies dressed in gorgeous sarees and designer blouses beautiful? I said surprised.
Well, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, as the cliché goes, he murmured.
O.K. Why don’t you say who impressed you? Was his counter question as was usual with him when he wanted to evade replying.
You might be astonished if I tell you and also may not agree with my opinion. Why don’t you hazard a guess as to who impressed me the most, knowing my criteria for beauty, I challenged.
Let me think, he said.
Probably the lady in gray silk saree and green blouse, wearing a nose stud and a bright red ‘kum kum’ in the middle of her forehead and minimum jewellery, he said.
Exactly. However you forgot to add something. Despite her advancing years and age related problems, she greeted everyone with a pleasant smile on her face which surely added to her grace. Don’t you think? I said.
I wonder why beauty is associated only with the young? he thought aloud.
That’s because you men consider it to be so, I quipped!
N Meera Raghavendra Rao
Just Li'Es 
Your husband saw the beauty in external features like dress, minimum makeup & jewellery whereas you saw the beauty in her behaviour toward others.