Story Prism

This is episode 99, one short of the 100th episode.

I am grateful to all you listeners. Your emails and participation at clever.fm/storyprism have especially been very heartening to me. This milestone calls for a celebration. My dear children, I want to ask you two questions. First of all, which story on the podcast is your favourite. And second, what comes to your mind when you hear the number 100? I’ll share your answers on our 100th episode.

You may type or record your answers at clever.fm/storyprism.

The link to the website is: https://clever.fm/storyprism

Today's story, Tenali Raman and Goddess Durga is an interesting story about Ramans’ wit and humour.

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/tenali-raman-and-goddess-durga

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Tenali Ramakrishna was known for his sharp wit and hailed from a town called Tenali. Lazy as he was, he used to nap under every possible tree that met his eyes. One day, a sage who was passing through the farm where Tenali Raman (as he was popularly known) was lazing around, called him and asked him to do any job that he pleased to earn a living. Raman told the sage that he was not educated and therefore did not get any job.

He told him, “Rama, I will teach you an ancient mantra. Recite this for 1,008 times in the goddess Kali temple on the outskirts of the village. The Ma would appear and grant you wishes.”

“This,” the sage told Raman, “Will help you gain the required knowledge. Once you obtain the knowledge, do not waste your time. Instead, hunt for a job and you will get it.”

Tenali was excited, and the next day he went to the temple and repeated the mantra 1008 times. Lo and behold! Goddess Kali appeared with her thousand heads in front of Rama. Tenali Raman took a look at Goddess Kali and he burst out laughing, “Ha! Ha! Ha!” Durga ma curiously asked, “Hey young lad! Why are you laughing like this?"

Tenali Raman could not still hold his laughter and chuckled, “Ma! When I have a cold, it is so difficult to manage one nose and one head. How do you manage with thousand noses and thousand heads when you have a cold?”

Children, how do you feel when you have a cold?

Let’s listen ahead

Smilingly Durga Ma said, “You are a very sweet and innocent boy. Come dear! I will give you a boon.”

“A boon….Yes Ma. Please..P-l-e-a-s-e tell me…I can’t wait!”

Durga Ma got two bowls and said, “This bowl in my right hand has milk and in the other is curd. Please choose one.”

Raman was in no haste. He enquired, “Ummmm… Goddess I can’t choose without understanding what the milk and curd stand for. Please help me comprehend the significance of the two.”

Children, can you guess what the milk and the curd stood for?

Interesting

 Durga ma revealed, “The bowl containing milk represents knowledge, and the bowl containing curd represents wealth.”

Once again, Tenali Raman thought carefully before replying. “But Ma, I do not know the taste of either the milk or the curd.”

So, Goddess Durga extended both bowls to Tenali Raman, who instantly grabbed both bowls and drank the curd and the milk.

Though Goddess Kali was annoyed at being outwitted, she demanded, “You little naughty child why did you drink out of both the bowls?” Raman replied politely, “Knowledge without wealth is useless and wealth without knowledge is dangerous.”

The goddess was pleased with Tenali Raman’s answer and blessed him, “You will have both wealth and knowledge. She further proclaimed. “You are very wise and witty. You are going to be a Vikatkavi.” a wise man who also has the talent to make others laugh and do funny things.

He became the jester poet at King Krishna Deva Raya’s court.

Now, it’s your turn. Visit clever dot fm slash story prism (clever.fm/storyprism) and answer the two questions for the 100th episode. You may type out your thoughts or even record them. The link to the website is in the show notes. See you there! 

This is episode 98 of story prism. And we are just 2 episodes away from the BIG 100th episode! That surely calls for a celebration. My dear children, I want to ask you two questions. First of all, which story on the podcast is your favourite. And second, what comes to your mind when you hear the number 100. I’ll share your answers on our 100th episode.

You may type or record your answers at clever.fm/storyprism.

The link to the website is: https://clever.fm/storyprism

Today's story, 'Little Golu And The Ribbon' is a short story on shapes.

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/live-and-let-live

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Live, and let live!

Bears, lions, tigers, birds, and all the other animals lived in the forest adjoining the small town of Rampur in north India. The animals lived happily.

Children, what do you think the animals did the whole day?

Nice.

Well, a family of bears lived the closest to the town. They loved playing amongst the rocks there.

But The town soon saw industries being built and there was an influx of many people from the adjoining cities. With that, there was an increase in the requirement for the number of houses. Consequently, more space was required and the townspeople, cleared a big part of the forest. This took away the animals' homes and they fled, pushing the animals deep inside the forest. The animals were not happy, but they had no choice.

Soon, a flyover was also built to help the movement of traffic. This was the same place where the bear family lived and played amongst the rocks. They had to leave. Luckily, the city made a nice garden under the flyover, saving the rocks that were originally there.

The bear family was sad, but to relive their memories, they would come there at night and hide behind the bushes and play amongst the rocks.

Children which is your favourite park and why do you like it?

Nice!

Let’s listen ahead.

They also saw and heard different vehicles zoom by on the flyover and even on the road beside them. They got a glace of some families with kids travelling, some returning from work, some trucks carrying goods and many other varieties of vehicles.

On one such visit to the city, as the bear family sat under the flyover, they felt the tremors.

Mumma bear growled, “There’ll be a big earthquake any moment. This flyover might break.”

“Oh, if that happens, what will happen to the people travelling?” asked a worried baby bear.

“This may hurt many people, we must help them,” added father bear.

“Why should we? These people destroyed our home?” said another baby bear.

“We are a good bear family with good values, my dear son. We must help everyone in need.”

He added, “Now go call all the big and strong animals of the forest. Take the help of the birds and small, but fast, animals to pass the message that all should reach the flyover fast!” The flyover started swaying.

“Yes father, we’ll come back in a jiffy,” the cubs said running as fast they could.

By now the Mumma and papa bear saw a crack developing. The tremors were also stronger than before.

Luckily in the nick of time, the elephants, lions and other big animals reached the flyover and together they supported the flyover so that it would not break.

The people who were rushing by on the road saw this most unusual sight and were surprised.

The animals without worrying about their own safety held the flyover together till all the people safely got off.

Soon, the earthquake stopped, and all the people cheered for the animals. They realized their mistake and decided to not clear the forest any further and left the animals to live in peace.

This is episode 97 of story prism. And we are just 3 episodes away from the BIG 100th episode!  That surely calls for a celebration. My dear children, I want to ask you two questions. First of all, which story on the podcast is your favourite? And second, what comes to your mind when you hear the number 100? I’ll share your answers on our 100th episode.

You may type or record your answers at clever.fm/storyprism.

 The link to the website is: https://clever.fm/storyprism

Today's story, 'The Red Peacock' is a famous Tenali Raman story that teaches that unnecessary show-off is not good

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/the-red-peacock

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

One day, King Krishna Deva Raya's greedy minister, Chatur Pandit arrived at the king's court with a red peacock.

Children, try to name all the colours in a peacock.

That’s great.

Krishna Deva Raya exclaimed, "I have never seen such a creature!"

The courtiers all agreed with the King.

Then Chatur Pandit offered the red peacock to the King. He said to the King, "Your Majesty, please accept this gift. My servants searched the jungles of Madhya Pradesh(a state in India) to find this exotic bird."

Tenali Raman, who was in the courtroom found something unnatural about the Red peacock.

Children, how do you think the peacock was all red?

Let’s listen ahead.

He thought to himself, "How can a bird so brightly coloured, survive in the jungle? Surely it will be an easy prey for other animals. So, there is something certainly wrong here." He realized that Chatur pandit was trying to trick the king to get some gifts. The King, unfortunately, didn’t realize this as he was always collecting exotic things to show off to all the kings of the neighbouring states. He looked at Chatur Pandit and said, "Thank you Chatur Pandit. How can we reward you?"

"Your Majesty, 100 gold coins will be enough, as I spent that to get the bird," said Chatur Pandit quickly.

Tenali Raman spoke up, "Your Majesty, I think we should observe this peacock for a while before we give Chatur Pandit his reward. I will go to Madhya Pradesh to get more birds like these."

"Alright Tenali Raman", said the King. "You have two weeks to bring back more birds like this one."

Chatur Pandit frowned at Tenali.

Tenali Raman went home. But, he did not go to Madhya Pradesh. Instead, he called his spies, and said, "Find the person who painted the peacock red."

The spies searched for the painter and finally found him. They brought him to Tenali Raman.

Tenali Raman said to the painter, "Don't worry, I won't punish you. Just paint another 10 peacocks the same colour."

"Yes sir," replied the painter.

He painted 10 more peacocks in red colour and gave them to Tenali.

At the end of two weeks, Tenali Raman took the red, painted peacocks to the King.

Krishna Deva Raya was pleased with Tenali. He asked the treasurer to give Tenali 1000 gold coins.

"Your Majesty, that is not what they cost," said Tenali Raman.

The confused King asked, "So what is the price then Tenali."

"A bucket of water, a bag of red paint, and a gold coin for this artist," replied Tenali Raman.

The king understood the whole story and was angry with Chatur Pandit for trying to cheat him. He said angrily, "Chatur Pandit, I sentence you to...."

Tenali Raman spoke, "Your Majesty, your desire for fame led you to believe a red peacock could exist. Being a minister at your court, it’s my duty to let you know that for a long time, there has been needless spending on such curiosities." He added, "It is better that your subjects be prosperous, rather than a display of wealth. I request you to let Chatur Pandit go and reward the artist for showing this."

"You are right, Tenali," said the King.

Chatur Pandit fearing the King's anger, begged for forgiveness, "Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

"I will do so, but you are banished from the court for a month. And you must return the gifts you got earlier," said the King.

The monsoon had arrived and the peacocks danced. The rains washed away their red colour.

Krishna Deva Raya amused with himself, laughed and said to Tenali, "Look at these red peacocks Tenali…all the red colour is getting washed away. ! Tenali Raman.

Tenali smiled.

The people of the kingdom danced in the rain. And said to each other, "We are lucky to have a king who is not afraid to admit his mistake."

A sorry Chatur Pandit walked home alone in the rain.

Hope you liked the story.

Now, it’s your turn. Visit clever dot fm slash story prism (clever.fm/storyprism) and answer the two questions for the 100th episode. You may type out your thoughts or even record them. The link to the website is in the show notes. See you there!  

Before I take you on a journey today, let me tell you something very exciting. You and I can now meet at clever.fm/storyprism and have fun discussing various aspects of the story. Here, you can answer a question from the story, ask me something about the story, or even share what you liked or didn’t like about it.

The link to the website is: https://clever.fm/storyprism

Today's story, 'Little Golu And The Ribbon' is a short story on shapes.

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/little-golu-and-the-ribbon

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Little Golu was excited.

“Wow! A new set of a crayon box!” But more than the crayon box, the ribbon on the next one caught his attention. It was a red ribbon with tiny hearts. He snapped the gift that was tied with the red ribbon, open. The ribbon fell a little distance from him. Golu glanced at it for the ribbon made a circular shape. Golu was attracted.

He bent down to get a closer look when he heard “Happy Birthday, Golu. I have turned myself into a circle.”

“Hey, you’re a talking ribbon. Woohoo! Oh, a circle?! I know many things that are circular. Hm.. the face of the wall clock is a circle, to start with. Next, pizza. The pizza we ate at the birthday party was circular.”

The talking ribbon said, “Look outside, what things are circular?”

“My new bicycle’s wheels are circular and so is the sun!”

“Now pick me up and toss me in the air. When I land on the ground again, I’ll show you a different shape,” said the ribbon. It fell and made a square shape.

“You are indeed magical,” smiled Golu, who had already started looking for square shapes around the house.

“The cushion is square and…” Golu was stuck.

The talking ribbon said, “How about the crackers that you enjoyed with cheese with your friends earlier today?”

 “Yes and the cheese slices, too. This is fun! May I toss you in the air again?” asked Golu with a sparkle in his eyes.

“Sure, I love this game too.” Golu tossed the ribbon and it fell as a triangle. He was quiet. He looked around his room but couldn’t find anything triangular.

Then he jumped and got a hold of his favourite musical instrument from the table - the triangle.

 Children, what is your favourite musical instrument?

Great

 “Now that’s a triangle!” “That’s right. And the sandwich and also the ice cream cone.”

“Can you also become a rectangle? With two long sides and two short sides?”

“Throw me yet again.” Golu threw it and sure enough, the talking ribbon formed a rectangle. “Now, this is easy. The gift on the table is a rectangle and my pencil box too. And my storybook on the bed as well.”

“And the door is my shape too!” added the ribbon.

“Well for the next shape, throw me yet again.” As Golu tossed the ribbon, a gust of wind blew the ribbon out of the open door. As it blew further away, it made the shape of a heart. Golu yelled, “That’s a heart! You’re now in the shape of my birthday cake.” Golu made a heart with his hands and blew the ribbon a kiss as it flew with the wind. “See you soon, Golu!” the ribbon called.

With a smile Golu went back to opening the gifts.

Before I take you on a journey today, let me tell you something very exciting. You and I can now meet at clever.fm/storyprism and have fun discussing various aspects of the story. Here, you can answer a question from the story, ask me something about the story, or even share what you liked or didn’t like about it.

The link to the website is: https://clever.fm/storyprism

Today’s story-The Pied Piper is an adapted story from the famous story-Pied Piper of Hamelin  It teaches us to keep a promise once made.

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/the-pied-piper

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Once upon a time there was a little town called Hamelin, located among the mountains and surrounded by beautiful fields.

Children, what is the name of the city you live in?

What is your favourite thing about this city?

Well, in the beautiful town, one day, a lot of rats arrived.  The rats ran around everywhere and troubled each and every citizen of the town. Finally, the terrified citizens went to plead with the mayor to free them from this problem.

Children, how do you think the rats terrified the citizens of Hamelin?

That’s right!  They ate all the food, troubled sleeping babies, and made a lot of noise. The people had grown tired of the rats but were unable to do anything. Even the cats were not able to kill the rats.

The Mayor was in his office trying to think of a plan, when a young man with a golden flute appeared, and offered to rid him and the town of rats in exchange for one million euros.  He was called the Pied Piper.

“If you solve this problem I will pay you.” said the Mayor.

“Certainly, and if I fail, I will not charge anything and you may even punish me if I am unable to get rid of the rats,” said the Pied Piper.

That night, a sound of a flute was heard throughout the streets of Hamelin. All the people peeped out of their homes.  And they couldn’t believe what they saw.

All the rats came out of every nook and corner of the homes and followed the Pied Piper as he marched down to the river and straight into the water. Behind him the swarm of rats followed him and every one of them was drowned and swept away by the current.

The citizens were delighted and cheered for the Pied Piper. Now, the town was free of the little devils and the people were relieved and thrilled.

After all the rats were dead, the Pied Piper returned and asked the Mayor for his money. The Mayor said, “ This was such an easy task. And I would give you only twenty Euros for such an easy job.”

Now that the rats were dead, the Mayor thought that there was nothing to worry about.

But the Pied Piper wanted to teach him a lesson. This time he played a different tune on his flute. Hearing his music, the children came out of their houses. They started following the piper, dancing and shouting. 

The elders watched in disbelief as the Pied Piper led the children far, far away. The Mayor understood his mistake and quickly sent his men to look for the Pied Piper and bring the children back. He further told the guards to carry the rest of the amount promised and give it to the pied piper who had rightly deserved it. The mayor had learned his lesson and he never broke his promise.

Before I take you on a journey today, let me tell you something very exciting. You and I can now meet at clever.fm/storyprism and have fun discussing various aspects of the story. Here, you can answer a question from the story, ask me something about the story, or even share what you liked or didn’t like about it.

The link to the website is: https://clever.fm/storyprism

Today's story, 'Tenali, The Detective' is a story where Tenali acts like a detective. A detective needs to be observant and solve problems. Let’s listen to the story to find out how Raman acts like a detective and if he succeeds or not!

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/tenali-the-detective

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Tenali Raman was once walking along a forest path when he was stopped by a merchant. “I’m looking for my camel which has strayed away. Did you see it passing by?” asked the sad and worried merchant.

Children, how do you feel when you lose something? I feel the same, and so we must take care of things.

So, a merchant had lost his camel and was asked Tenali is he had seen it.

“Had the camel hurt its leg?” asked Raman.

“Oh yes! That means you have seen my camel!” said the merchant. 

“Only its footprints. See, you can see footprints of an animal with three legs,” said Raman, pointing out the footprints on the ground. “It was dragging the other leg because it was hurt in that leg.”

“Was it blind in one eye?” Raman asked the merchant.

“Yes, yes,” said the merchant eagerly.

“Was it loaded it with wheat on one side and sugar on the other side?” asked Raman.

“Yes, you are right,” said the merchant. 

“So you have seen my camel!” exclaimed the merchant. 

Raman looked upset. “Did I say I saw your camel? Of course not!” 

“Then how did you give the exact description of my camel,” said the merchant. 

“I saw no camel,” said Raman. 

Children, how do you think Raman knew the exact description of the camel?

Let’s listen ahead.

“Do you see those plants lined up on both sides of this path? You can clearly see, some animal has eaten leaves of plants on the left, but the plants on the other side remain untouched. So , I figured out that the animal could see with only one eye.”

“Look down. You can see ants lined up on this side which means, the animal was loaded with sugar bag on this side. The bag had a hole, which allowed the sugar to fall off. That’s how I know that the camel was carrying bags of sugar.”

Tenali smiled and further added, “You can see grains of wheat fallen on the other side. The bag on this side also must have holes in it.”

“I can see everything you showed me,” protested the merchant, ”but I still don’t see my camel.” 

Children, any idea how Tenali would help the merchant find the camel?

Let’s see!

“You follow this trail and soon you will catch up with your animal. After all it is hurt in one leg and you seem to be hale and hearty,” said Raman.

The merchant took his advice and followed the trail left by the camel.

Soon he caught up with the poor animal, limping along. 

“Rani!” the merchant shouted in happiness, as he ran to his camel.

Before I take you on a journey today, let me tell you something very exciting. You and I can now meet at clever.fm/storyprism and have fun discussing various aspects of the story. Here, you can answer a question from the story, ask me something about the story, or even share what you liked or didn’t like about it.

The link to the website is: https://clever.fm/storyprism

Akbar and Birbal folktales are very famous in India. These are a set of moral stories inspired by the interactions of Mughal Emperor Akbar and his wisest courtier Birbal and have been enjoyed by children for many many years. You know children, Birbal was an extremely witty courtier and. you will really enjoy listening to the witty, interesting, and sometimes funny, occurrences in the lives of Akbar and Birbal. These stories also help us to think smart just like Birbal.

Today's story: 'How Akbar Met Birbal' is a story about how Akbar found his clever and witty courtier -Birbal.

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/how-akbar-met-birbal

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Akbar used to love going out on hunting expeditions.

Children, what weapons were used for hunting at that time? 

Once, when Akbar was out on one such expedition, he and some of his courtiers lost their way.

Children, what should they do now? 

At last, they came to a junction of three roads. Akbar was very happy as he thought that now he could reach his capital, Agra through one of these roads. But, he was not sure as to which of the three roads led to Agra. None of the courtier was able to tell which road went to the Emperor’s capital..

Children, which country do you live in? What is the capital of your country?

Unfortunately, they did not find anybody who would help them.. By now, King Akbar and the courtiers were tired and hungry. Just then, they saw a young man coming towards them on one of the three roads. Akbar called out, “Wait up young man! Could you tell us which road goes to Agra?”

The man smiled and said, “Sir, none of these roads go to Agra.”

Everybody was shocked at the young man’s audacity (boldness) . Akbar kept his anger in check and asked the young man again, “What do you mean?”

The man said once more, “People travel, not roads. Do they?”

The Emperor’s anger vanished on hearing this clever reply. He laughed and said, “Yes, you are right. Tell me, what is your name?”

The man said, “My name is Mahesh Das, sir! Now tell me about yourself. Who are you and what is your name?”

Akbar said, “You are talking to Emperor Akbar, the King of Hindustan! I need fearless and witty people like you in my court.” He took off his ring, gifted it to the young man and said, “If you want to be a part of my royal court, come to meet me with this ring and I will recognise you immediately. Now, show us the way to reach Agra. All of us are exhausted and need to reach Agra before sun sets.”

Mahesh Das was the man who became the famous and witty minister in Akbar’s court. He came to be known as  Birbal.

Before I take you on a journey today, let me tell you something very exciting. You and I can now meet at clever.fm/storyprism and have fun discussing various aspects of the story. Here, you can answer a question from the story, ask me something about the story, or even share what you liked or didn’t like about it.

The link to the website is: https://clever.fm/storyprism

Today's story, 'The Mouse Ghost' is a fun story where a mouse fed up with his small size tries something to scare the bigger animals. Does he succeed? Let’s listen to the story.

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/the-mouse-ghost

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

First of all, you all know a mouse is a very tiny animal.

Children, can you name two other animals who are tiny?

There was once a tiny little mouse who was extremely terrified of being trampled and squished by all the other animals in the forest that he always hid in the bushes.

“Why I am so tiny? Looks like all these big animals enjoy scaring me and threatening me! I wish I could give them a taste of their own medicine.” He used to think.

One day as the mouse was wandering around during the night, a strong wind began to blow. Suddenly, a white cloth came flying with the wind and landed over the mouse. As he began to shuffle around, an idea came to his mind.  

Children, can you guess what idea did he get?

Let’s listen ahead.

So, as the mouse was trying to wriggle out of that piece of white cloth, he got the idea that with that white cloth over him he could pretend to be a vicious GHOST!

And that is what he did.

During the night he would keep on the white cloth over his body and loom around the forest till some animals spotted him. They were instantly petrified. Soon word began to spread and all the animals found out that there was a ghost who lived on the dark path in the forest. 

The mouse was pretty happy. Now he did not have to fear being trampled by the animals and could live in peace since none of them was brave enough to cross the path where a ghost had been spotted, and if they did, the mouse would chase them away. 

One day, as the seasons changed, a lot of animals had to migrate and had to go down the path where the ghost lived. 

Children, migration means moving from one place to another.

Animals migrate to protect themselves from extreme weather conditions or to look for food.

“Oh boy, oh boy, I hope the ghost isn’t around today” whispered one of them. 

But as soon as they began to walk down that path, the mouse appeared and began to chase them out. But suddenly a gush of wind blew and the white cloth flew off the teeny tiny mouse and he was exposed. 

“Look that’s not a ghost, it’s a meek little mouse pretending to be a ghost!” someone called.

All the animals were so angry that they chased him out of the forest and he was never allowed to come back.

Before I take you on a journey today, let me tell you something very exciting. You and I can now meet at clever.fm/storyprism and have fun discussing various aspects of the story. Here, you can answer a question from the story, ask me something about the story, or even share what you liked or didn’t like about it.

The link to the website is: https://clever.fm/storyprism

Anansi “the Spider” stories are based on the oral tradition of West Africa. They feature a clever spider who outwits bigger animals to get out of trouble or just to have fun.

Today's story, 'Anansi And The Talking Watermelon' is one such fun story.

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/anansi-and-the-talking-watermelon

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Early one morning, Anansi, the spider awoke to the sound of the possum hoeing his watermelon patch. Anansi peered down from the Peachtree where he lived to watch the possum's slow progress. Anansi salivated at the thought of a meal of watermelon, his favourite juicy, red fruit.

Children, what is your favourite fruit?

That’s nice.

When the possum set his hoe aside at midday to take a nap, Anansi snuck down his tree for a snack. While the possum snored, Anansi wobbled down his fine, silk web to the ripest watermelon in the garden. He picked up a small, sharp stone to chip away the melon’s thick skin, the rind. He made a hole that he could just squeeze into. Then, he gorged himself as the juices slid down his eight spider legs.

Just when Anansi had his fill, he heard the possum stir.

“Possum will punish me if I'm discovered,” Anansi said to himself.

He waddled to the hole in the rind and tried to pull himself out one leg at a time. He was so slippery he couldn't keep his footing. He braced himself against the edge of the hole, but he was so full of fruit that he no longer fit! “Oh no! I am stuck!” he cried, “Now I have to wait until I shrink back to the normal size.” And Anansi laid his head upon a watermelon seed in an attempt to sleep. He tossed and turned restlessly. “This is so boring, What should I do while I wait?” As he pondered his next plot, he heard the possum at the far end of the row of watermelons.

“I know! I will trick possum into thinking that his melon talks!”

Children, what do you think Anansi would do?

Let’s listen ahead.

Possum came scratching with his hoe, and as he neared the melon where Anansi was, he heard a sound quiet as a mouse.

“Who is that?” he asked.

“It is the watermelon !” Anansi now yelled.

“How absurd, watermelons can't talk!” Possum said as he cradled the melon to his ear.

“Possum, you have never been a good listener. Watermelons have been talking since before you were born!”

Possum could not believe his ears and cried, “Eureka! I must show the King Bear the discovery I have made.”

Off he went carrying the watermelon with Anansi bouncing to and fro inside.

He met a raccoon rolling in the dust beside the road.

“What's the hurry possum?” the raccoon asked.

“I'm bringing King Bear a talking watermelon!” the possum answered, proud of himself.

“Now I have heard everything!” Raccoon laughed.

“You haven't heard me talk!” Anansi replied from inside the melon to the raccoon's smart remark.

“Hug? What? Who said that?” asked the raccoon.

“I did!” said Anansi enjoying his trick. “You are a silly raccoon for not realising that apart from animals many other things also have speech. Watermelons are more intelligent than you.”

“Do you believe me now?” Asked the possum.

“Yes I do,” the raccoon said. “This smart watermelon is something that the king would want to see.

Along the path to the King Bear’s grand den, possum and raccoon came upon gopher, rat and squirrel. They each in turn laughed and pointed fingers until they heard the Melon’s strange little voice themselves. Before long they all wanted to hear what the king would say about the oddity, so off they went.

When they arrived, the King a very grizzly-looking bear had just woken from his afternoon slumber and was a bit grumpy. “What is it?” He growled as the animals bowed before him.

Possum placed the watermelon on the tree stump before King Bear.

“What am I to do with this?” the king asked, continuing before anyone had a chance to answer. “ I do not need any watermelons; I have acres of my own.”

“This one talks!” they chimed in unison. King Bear refused to believe. He demanded that the melon pays respect to him if the animal spoke the truth. The watermelon just sat there. mum for the first time all day.

Children, why do you think Anansi is quiet?

“What kind of a joke is this?” The king grumbled.

 The melon remained silent.

“I would be a fool to waste more time waiting to see your tricks,” he snarled at the frightened animals.

“You would be a fool not to wait,” Anansi said from inside the melon.

“Only a fool thinks watermelon can't talk!!”

“Fool! Fool!” King Bear Roared.

“ How dare you call the king bad names?”

And with that, King Bear picked up the melon in his paws and chucked that as hard and as far as he could.

The melon flew through the air and landed with a crack and a thud splitting it wide open.

Anansi was free.

He ran to the peach tree where his morning started.

“What a great day!” Anansi rejoiced.

All this fun made me hungry again!”

He started nibbling at a large, ripe peach above the possum’s patch.

The Possum returned later that day with a sad look on his face. He started digging furiously.

“Melons!” he cried. Next year I will grow something else in this patch; you watermelons are nothing but trouble!”

“Perhaps you should grow more peaches!” Anansi said with a mouth full of delicious peach. The king is sure to listen to peach!”

Before I take you on a journey today, let me tell you something very exciting. You and I can now meet at clever.fm/storyprism and have fun discussing various aspects of the story. Here, you can answer a question from the story, ask me something about the story, or even share what you liked or didn’t like about it.

The link to the website is: https://clever.fm/storyprism

Today's story: A Glass Of Milk is a story that shows how one good turn begets another.

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/a-glass-of-milk

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

A poor boy was very keen to go to school, but he didn’t have money. So he decided to sell newspapers and other items like milk, bread, and eggs from door to door. This was the way he earned money to pay for his school.

He had a tough life and some days he would even go to bed hungry.

One day, as he was walking from house to house, he felt very hungry and weak on his usual route. So he decided to ask for food when he came to the next door.

The little boy knocked but was rudely asked to leave. He tried at the next house and unfortunately got the same answer. He asked for food from many homes but was denied every time. Finally,  he reached the door of a girl. By now all he wanted was a glass of water, and his throat was parched. He hesitantly, but hopefully knocked at the door. The little girl opened the door.

“I am very thirsty, may I please have just a glass of water?” The little boy pleaded.   

The little girl was kind and seeing his poor state, she went back inside the house and came back with a glass of milk.

With an astonished look, the boy drank the milk, relishing every sip.

Children, what kind of milk do you enjoy the most?

Great. Let’s listen ahead.

“Thank you. Now I feel so much better. How much do I owe you for this glass of milk?”

The girl replied, “I do not want any money for this.”

Children, wasn’t it nice on the girl’s part to give milk to the little boy?

What did you share with someone recently?

The boy thanked the girl from the bottom of his heart and left the place.

Years passed by. The young girl grew up. Unfortunately, in her youth, she fell ill and was diagnosed with the rarest nervous disorder. Many experienced doctors were baffled at her condition, and she was admitted to the city hospital with the most advanced facilities.

Dr Kevin, a renowned neuro specialist was called in by the hospital to examine her. Even with his extraordinary expertise, Dr Kevin found the girl’s illness very hard to cure. However, with perseverance and hard work that lasted months, he was finally able to get the disease under control. With careful medication and monitoring, the girl was completely cured in the end.

Everyone praised the doctor, but the girl was quite worried.

Children, why do you think the little girl was worried?

That’s right, she was worried about the cost of this long treatment. Her family had just a little money kept away in the bank, which was by no means enough to pay for such a long treatment in that reputed hospital.

The girl was given the hospital bill finally. With trembling hands, she opened it. She was stunned to see that the bill had been crossed out and cancelled, and a note underneath was signed by Dr Kevin.

“Bill paid years ago with a glass of milk!”

Children, who do you think Dr Kevin was?

That’s right, he was the same boy whom the little girl had given milk.