BED TIME STORY

BED TIME STORY - J K SIVAN

AN INCOMPLETE STORY

As usual the children on an evening pestered Siva Thatha to tell them a story. The evening was pleasant with reduced heat of the Sun and the sky was a bit cloudy providing shade from the setting sun.

Thatha was reclining on his easy chair under the neem tree and there was noise of construction labourers who demolishing an old house opposite to his house. Nowadays old independent houses disappear and cluster of flats appear in replacement adding to the water and power shortage and parking problems in the small streets.

Thatha cleared his throat and began telling his story for the evening.

''Once there was a king worried about his three sons because they were stupid and did not show interest in educating themselves. They were interested in roaming about and lazy. As the king was old he was worried about the future of his kingdom and his sons. He called his ministers and discussed with them.

''My dear Ministers, I called you to discuss with you about my three sons. I am not satisfied with their attitude and behaviour. How to correct them and make them fit to govern this kingdom after me? I seek your advice''

''Maharaja, there is a great scholar and wiseman, Vfishnu Sarma, you can send your sons to him for teaching them and converting them to change them'' said an old minister. The Raja therefore sent his men to bring Vishnu Sarma to his palace and appealed to him.

''Oh great scholar of this kingdom, I request you to please help me by training my three sons to become scholars. I will give you 100 villages as your fees''

Vishnu Sarma replied '' Maharaja, I will undertake to transform your sons into good citizens within six months and I dont need the 100 villages for this service to you.''

The three sons went with Vishnu Sarma to his hermitage and do you know what he did? He told them the moral stories everyday. That is what I am doing for you all, telling the stories from Pancha Thanthra. The interesting stories carry a moral in each story and it will register in mind of the listeners like you. It helped the king's sons to become wise and good citizens.

Today's story is this.

Vardhaman, was a merchant in a village, He believed that money was essential for successful and happy living in this world. Money can make one rich, powerful, and strong to face enemies, and would bring name and fame. He visited a big town one day to sell his goods and earn money. On his way his bullock cart stopped and could not move further, because one of the bulls fainted and fell down. He asked his servants to take care of the bull and went walking. His servants did not care for the fallen bull and told him a lie that the bull was dead. In fact the bull slowly got up and in the forest it found enough leaves to eat and freshwater to drink and survived. In a few days it became very strong. A lion was the ruler of that forest and while drinking water in the jungle river, the lion and its followers heard the loud bellow of the bull on the other side of the river. The bull's sound made the lion to be afraid of his strong enemy and became worried. Two jackals were the close friends of the lion

''Why is our king afraid of the bull?'' asked one jackal.

''To know this I must tell you the story of a monkey'' replied the other jackal.

As it became dark and there was drizzles from the rain expected from the dark clouds above, Thatha sent the disappointed children telling them

''You must all think what made the lion worry about and fear the bull and come out with your views so that I can tell you what the second jackal told about the monkey'' .The children ran home thinking about the monkey and lion's worry.

moral: lmagination is fertille in everyone and positive thinking helps to live a successful life.