Beschi has developed the summary account of the childhood of Joshua given in the Bible into a short story.¹⁹

Ideas found in native Tamil literature are echoed in Tēmpāvaṇi. Even as in the Cilappatikāram, where Kōvalaṉ is advised to choose the middle path of the triple ways to reach Madurai by an ascetic, so also during the desert journey, Joseph and Mary are advised by the arch angel Michael to pick the central path.²⁰

The Kuṟaḷ had caught Beschi’s fancy and had left a deep impression on him. Ellis remarks that Beschi has borrowed the introductory word of couplet 72 of the Kuṟaḷ for this Tēmpāvaṇi.²¹ But a study of both works will show that Beschi has not only borrowed words but at times even whole couplets and sometimes phrases from the Kuṟaḷ. It is not possible to elaborate the entire list of such borrowings. In a general study like this, it will suffice to show a few.

In the 10th chapter of the Tēmpāvaṇi, Joseph quotes to Mary²² - when they are harassed for want of accommodation - the sentiments expressed in the Kuṟaḷ.²³ After Joseph returned from the forest, he indulged in many selfless acts beaming with charity. Beschi here²⁴ very cleverly has used the Kuṟaḷ to reveal his ideas.²⁵ Many examples like this can be endlessly enumerated.

Ellis believes that Beschi has borrowed not only the thoughts but also words from Cintāmaṇi.²⁶ Not only thought and words

21. E. T. C.; P. 352

22. Tem. Ch. 10, St. 73

23. TirukKuṟaḷ, 452

24. Tem. Ch. 4, St. 65

25. TirukKuṟaḷ, 80

26. E. T. C.; P. 109