chapter-2

Chapter-2

Dittu and his younger brother Ajju had just come back from school. They were having their evening snack and milk when grandpa also joined them with his tea. Ajju excitedly told his grandpa that his teacher told a new story in the class- "The hare and the Tortoise" . Grandpa listened to him and then asked the children " do you know ,a similar story happened in Kailasa between Ganesha and Subramanya?". The children wanted to hear the story. Grandpa promised to tell them the story during bed-time.

In the night both the children reminded grandpa his promise. Grandpa started to tell the story.

Once in Kailash Ganesha and subramanya were happily playing with their parents Shiva and Parvati. Shiva's attendants were also enjoying the happy moment, when Narada came visiting Shiva. Narada paid his obeiscence to Shiva and placed a mango in front of shiva saying" Pranam Parameshwara, please accept this mango. It's a special one and that's why I brought it to you as a gift". "Long live Narada, I am pleased with this gift of yours" said Shiva and gave the mango to Parvati and told her to give equal portion of the fruit to both the children. Narada intervened saying" Eswara, this fruit should be consumed wholly and not to be cut".

Both Ganesha and Subramanya wanted the fruit. Parvati was bewildered and told Narada to suggest a way out since he was the one who had come with one fruit when two children were there. Narada suggested to hold a contest and then gift the fruit to whoever won the contest. Shiva smilingly told Narada to hold the contest. Narada suggested that the fruit could be given to whoever came back first after going around the world. Both the children agreed to take part in the competition. Subramanya who has a peacock as his vehicle immediately left on the mission. Ganesha, who is pot bellied and plump has a small mouse as his vehicle and he was sure he could'nt beat his brother in the race. Instead using his wisdom he went around his parents three times and asked for the fruit.

Shiva asked him as to how he could claim his prize as he had'nt fulfilled the condition for the race. Ganesha replied" Father, the vedas say Shiva and Parvati, who are universal father and mother are equal to all the worlds. Hence by circumbulating you both I've fulfilled the condition and so the fruit is mine. Please give it to me". Shiva had to agree to his claim and gave him the fruit. Subramanya came back from his mission with a gleeful thought that his fat pot bellied brother would be far behind. When he saw Ganesha eating the fruit he was furious and no explanation from his parents could pacify him.

"So you see just like hare and tortoise, here also there were two unequal contestants, but with wisdom the inequity was won over" said Grandpa.