Many people despise the poor. For these disdainful individuals, being poor means having to perform acts that would be reprimanded by others, thus ruining one's social image. It is possible, however, to disagree with those who think this way. Hunger is a threat to dignity, but the definition of threat is a person or thing that can cause harm or danger. The threat doesn't always have to cause harm. In Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya, Rukmani and Nathan actually face a threat to their dignity, but Puli and Rukmani, even though her dignity is also at risk, are saved. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Puli is one of the main reasons why Rukmani and Nathan do not have to resort to begging in the city or performing other acts that might cause them to lose their respect. At first, Puli helps them find the place where Murugan worked. “Yet I myself will take you there, and if you prosper you can pay me” (page 83). This is Puli agreeing to help them. Instead of wandering hungry for so long without knowing where to find their son, the couple finally finds hope. After their money and belongings are stolen, Rukmani and Nathan depend solely on food given daily to the destitute in the temple. Later in the book, Puli takes them to a quarry, where they can work for money. “There is a stone quarry,” he said. “Not far from here. Stonebreakers earn well" (p. 92). When Puli takes them to the quarry, Rukmani realizes that she is making double the money she made when she wrote letters for people. This allows them to earn more money with which they can buy food. Puli, although cunning and a little shrewd, manages to save the two from starvation. “There might be a little more today. “You made money, right?” he cried." This is the time when Rukmani will buy rice cakes from the man she buys from every day. In the book, Rukmani points out all of Puli's friends who look completely sick. “For all their playing they looked as if they had never eaten a full meal in their lives, with their ribs protruding and their bellies swollen like drums with wind and emptiness,” (page 82). Rukmani says she admires them, however, most people despised them. “When he saw us approaching, one of the peons approached us. “Beggars are not allowed” (p. 86). This statement shows that beggars are not welcome near people's homes. They didn't even give them food or money. Although Rukmani and Nathan are not beggars, if they were, they would be treated that way. But with Puli's help, Rukmani and Nathan don't have to be treated badly. However, Puli isn't the only one who helped the couple. Rukmani herself is one of the few people who supports them during their fights in the city. Nathan and Rukmani are robbed, leaving them without any money. Before Puli lends them a hand and shows them a place where they can work, Rukmani and Nathan are left to their own devices. They come to live with their son, but discover that he left many years ago. Nathan is sick and they have to go back to their village because Nathan wants to die in his village. Luckily, Rukmani is there to help. Not only is he emotionally strong, but he also has ability and youth. Nathan is many years older than her; therefore, he would become old and frail more quickly than she did. When Nathan and Rukmani are trying to figure out how to get back to their village, Rukmani says she can open a stall for people to sit and read to. “Then one day I thought I would start reading letters like there are in most villages, and certainly in cities too,” (page 90). Rukmani is also intelligent,.