The Reassuring Tale of a Sacred Tree

Friends, I am happy to welcome you to this story for children. Thanks.

Welcome, dear children.

If you go to the Himalayan area, you will find the serene River Nayana flowing quietly through a thickly forested tract. This forest is called Nayanpur, deriving its well-known name from this beautiful river. Once upon a time, a family of rabbits lived here. Children, today I'm going to tell you their story. Their story is going to be an interesting one. So, draw near and sit tight.

Before I proceed any further, let me tell you the names of these lovely animals. It was a family of four: Ramu, the dad; Meetu, the mom; and Gilu and Pilu, the two sons. They were happy, as far as we can attribute the adjective 'happy' to an animal. There was plenty of food available in the forest all year round, their burrow at the base of a Neem tree was secure, and all of them were well-nourished. What more could a rabbit want in life?

But one thing troubled Ramu. As the head of the family, he felt responsible for their security: the presence of carnivores like tigers, leopards, and cheetahs in the forest was a constant worry. Small animals like rabbits were always at risk.

Of course, Nayanpur was a huge forest, which made the rabbit family relatively safe. The big hunters had plenty of other animals to prey upon. Even so, Ramu wanted to ensure the kids' safety. He wanted to give them the gift of a happy childhood, and for that, safety was essential. Often, he would think long and hard about this, but a good solution was hard to come by.

One summer afternoon, a monk was passing through Nayanpur forest. Tired of walking, he sat down to rest at the base of the very tree where Ramu's family lived. There was something serene about the monk's face, radiating goodwill. Struck by this sacred aura, Ramu decided to approach the saint and share his troubles.

The monk listened to Ramu's tale with full sympathy. Impressed by Ramu's sincerity, he said with a smile, "Dear rabbit, I'm impressed by your responsible attitude. Here's a way out for you: there's a Mango tree located in a field about fifty miles from here. I blessed this tree a long time ago, and by the power of my blessings, all animals living under its shelter are safe."

"What you can do, Ramu," continued the holy figure, "is take your family away from this tree where insecurity is your constant companion. Instead, go to that noble tree and take its shelter. All living beings residing there are friendly and peace-loving due to the spiritual power of my blessings. You and your family will always be safe there. Have faith in the power of my blessings."

Hearing these reassuring words, Ramu felt relieved. Gratitude towards the monk filled his heart, and he began to feel happy at the thought of his family living in a harmonious environment. It seemed to be the definition of heaven for this rabbit father. Soon, Ramu and his family moved into the shelter of that blessed tree.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. The rabbit family lived peacefully under the Mango tree's shade. Gilu and Pilu grew up making friends and playing with all the animals and birds that resided there. Ramu and Meetu felt grateful for the monk's blessings, which had brought them joy and security.

But one day, a severe storm hit the region, and the Mango tree was tested like never before. A strong gust of wind knocked down a branch, and a massive beehive fell onto the ground, discharging an army of bees. The bees, angry and agitated, began to chase the rabbit family. Ramu knew they had to act fast. He remembered the monk's words, "Trust in the power of my blessings." Ramu closed his eyes, prayed to the monk, and asked for protection.

To their surprise, the bees, instead of attacking them, began to calm down!! Soon they were peacefully flying around in the air, and after a while, settled back into their hive. The rabbit family was amazed. Ramu realized that the monk's blessings were not just words but a reality that protected them from harm.

So, what did we learn today?

We learned that a Higher Power is always protecting, loving, and caring for us. Whenever we face issues in life, let's pray to this ever-present Power, and our solution will definitely emerge. Have faith.

See you with another story soon. Till then, God bless, and goodbye, dears.
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