Story Prism

Today’s story, The red leather shoes, is about a shoemaker who extends kindness to someone in need. And what she gets in return, she never saw coming!

Free activity sheet available at https://www.rituvaish.com/archive-the-red-leather-shoes

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Long, long ago, in a small village in a sprawling kingdom, there lived a shoemaker.

Customers travelled from all corners of the kingdom to order shoes from the shoemaker. For everyone agreed the woman had a gift for making the most beautiful, comfortable footwear, and making it fast.

Children, which colour are your favourite shoes?

Everyone was in awe of her skill and speed.

Eventually, though, things began to change.

The shoemaker was growing older — so her eyes were growing weaker, her fingers were growing stiffer, and her work was growing slower.

But, the shoes she made were still as beautiful and comfortable as ever, but her customers were growing annoyed about how long they had to wait. Soon, the customers found a cobbler in the capital city, a young fellow who could churn out shoes like they were pancakes on a griddle, but certainly, the craftsmanship suffered and was no way close to the shoemakers.

Unfortunately, before long, the shoemaker in the village had no customers. And with no customers, she had no income. She couldn’t afford the material to make new shoes… or food to fill her belly!

Children, what do you think will happen to her now?

One morning, as she sat down for a meager breakfast of rice and tea, she glanced around her dusty shop. The shoemaker frowned as she sipped her tea. If she didn’t get any customers soon, she’d be in trouble! She kept thinking that there must be something she could do. Then, all of a sudden, something caught her eye. She shuffled to the kitchen, stretched up her creaky arms, and brought a box down from the shelf. It was a wooden box made from a walnut tree, with elaborate, intricate designs carved along the sides and top.

When the shoemaker lifted the box’s dusty lid, her eyes lit up. “There you are! I’d almost forgotten about you!”

Children, do you have a special box in which you keep your most prized possessions?

Let’s listen ahead to find out what she found in the box.

The shoemaker reached inside and unfolded a big piece of leather. She rubbed the material between her fingers. It was as smooth as the petals of a rose and as red as a pomegranate.

The leather had been a gift from her mother, a brilliantly talented shoemaker who passed all of her skills down to her one and only child. And years and years ago, just before the old woman cobbled her final pair of shoes and let out her final breath, she pulled her daughter aside and placed the leather in her hand.

The shoemaker recalled her mother’s words, “This leather will make a marvelous pair of shoes, but do not be hasty in using it, wait for the right time.” 

The shoemaker knew the time had come. At last, she would use her beloved red leather to make a magnificent pair of shoes — so magnificent that she could make a pretty penny selling them!

The shoemaker fetched her cobbling tools and got to work. Day after day, week after week, month after month, she stooped down at her table, until at last the red leather shoes were finished. She excitedly placed the shoes in the front window of her shop expecting someone to buy it.

And sure enough, it wasn’t long before she heard the door chime ring. A customer entered and asked her the price of that pair of shoes.

The shoemaker proudly said, “ They’re fifty silver coins.”

“Fifty silver coins? The cobbler in the capital city would charge way less than that!” the customer yelled out in surprise.

The shoemaker explained, “But the cobbler in the capital city would never craft ….”

Before even she could finish her sentence, the customed stomped out, “I’m sorry. But fifty silver coins sounds way too steep to me. Good luck with the shoes.”

Well, as it turned out, the shoemaker needed far more than luck. All those who walked in, walked out saying that it was way too expensive compared to the one in the capital city. Much to the old shoemaker's dismay, all of them made a beeline for the door.

Well, it wasn’t long before the shoemaker’s cupboards were bare, her pockets were empty, and she was left with little more than a heavy heart and a hungry belly.

Then one evening, as a ferocious storm raged outside, the shoemaker sat huddled by the fire. She was rubbing her bony hands and trying to ignore her grumbling belly when all of a sudden she heard a knock. ...

Children, who could be at the door?

The shoemaker heaved herself to her feet and waddled to the door. Shivering outside was a haggard man. His face was smudged with soot. Raindrops pelted down on his long, shabby coat and tattered hat.

He said, “Good evening, madam. Sorry to bother you, but I spotted the glow of your fire through your front window. I’ve been begging in the streets all day long and I am chilled to my bones! May I please come in and warm myself?”

“Of course!” The shoemaker took the beggar’s arm and led him to the fire. She said, “I would have offered you some food, but I ate my last bowl of rice days ago, and I haven’t been able to …”

The shoemaker stopped short. For her eyes had wandered down to the beggar’s feet. The man wasn’t wearing any shoes or socks, and his toes, soles, and heels were all dirty and wet.

“I’m sorry, sir... but your feet! Have you no shoes to wear?”

“No, madam. I have no shoes. As a poor beggar, I have nothing at all, really! But you.. How is it you’ve fallen on such hard times?

The shoemaker heaved a sigh and told the whole story.

The beggar nodded. Then he gestured toward the front window.

“I couldn’t help but notice those red leather shoes you have on display. They’re utterly spectacular! I’ve never seen anything like them! Are you telling me nobody will buy those?”

Sadly the shoemaker said, “Not even one! Everyone who comes into my shop says the shoes are too expensive.”

“That’s a pity, hope people understand and appreciate the craftsmanship of these splendid shoes. Well, it’s time for me to move on. Thank you for the fire and for the company. It means more than I can say.” The old beggar said.

As the man began trudging toward the door, the shoemaker stopped him

Children, why did the shoemaker stop the beggar?

Well, the shoemaker gave him the red leather shoes from the window.

The old beggar’s eyes twinkled as he slipped the shoes on. They fit like a glove. The old beggar thanked her profusely and disappeared into the dark and rainy night.

By morning, the storm had passed. Outside the shoemaker’s shop, the sky sparkled a brilliant blue, and the sun shone high in the sky.

That day the shoemaker decided that she would sell her cobbling tools to get some money then decide what to do next.

But just as the shoemaker began gathering up her hammers and scissors, her pincers and pliers...there was a knock at the door.

Children, any guesses on who was at the door?

When the shoemaker opened the door, she saw an elegant horse and carriage on the street outside. The finely-dressed driver waved his velvet-gloved hand and grinned. He politely said, “Good morning, madam! Please, come with me. We don’t have a moment to waste. The King wishes to see you immediately!”

The shoemaker was confused. The king? But she did as she was instructed and climbed into the carriage.

When the carriage reached the palace, the shoemaker was ushered into a great hall. The moment she spotted the king sitting on his plush velvet throne, decked out in his lush satin robe, she bowed low to the ground.

The king said, “Good morning, dear madam! Please. You may rise.”

Slowly, she rose to her feet.

The king went on, “ I’ve summoned you to my palace to repay you for the red leather shoes.

The shoemaker blinked her eyes. She was totally confused.

The king explained, “ You see, nobody outside these palace walls knows it, but from time to time, I like to disguise myself, so I may wander about my kingdom unrecognized. I wish to see first-hand how my people live and how they treat each other. Last night I disguised myself as an old beggar. I made my way to your shop in the thunder, wind, and rain and I knocked at your door. And what did you do? You took me in, you sat me by the fire, and you gave me your most prized possession; the red leather shoes.

The shoemaker felt her cheeks flush and said, “Of course I couldn't just leave you out there shivering in the cold!”

The king added, “So you say. But do you know how many of your fellow citizens turned me away as I wandered from house to house? Do you know how many of them slammed their door in my face? And so I’d like to repay you by making you the official royal shoemaker. And in return, you may live in this palace and enjoy all the comforts therein. Do you accept my offer?”

The shoemaker’s heart stuttered and skittered inside her chest. It felt like a dragonfly fluttering its delicate wings.

Humbled the shoemaker said, “Yes, Your Majesty. I accept your offer.”

And so, the shoemaker packed up her shop in the village and moved into the palace, where she spent her days making beautiful, comfortable shoes for the king.

She worked slowly, but the king didn’t mind. For what the shoemaker lacked in speed, she made up for in skill. And even if her hands weren’t quick, her heart was warm, and that’s what mattered most of all.

Today's story, The Golden Cob, is a folktale from Spain about a very hardworking mother.

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/the-golden-cob

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript:

Once upon a time in a small town in Spain, there was a very humble farmer family. There was a father, a mother and five children. Unfortunately, that family was so poor that they barely had anything to eat. Their only way to sustain was a small field of corn. Even though they only had one type of food, they managed to make different recipes to feed and make the little ones happy. They made cakes, and breads from the corn... and they still had some corn left over to be able to sell in the market.

Guess who did all the work? All of this was done by the mother of the family, who was in charge of all the functions that had to be done related to corn and even go to the market to sell the corn. She was extremely hardworking.

Children, what all has to be done at a farm to grow anything?

Yes indeed, at any farm the farmer needs to, plant the seeds, take care of the plants, and then harvest the crop.

The mother did all that and then cooked food. After that, she prepared different types of corn dishes so that her children would not get bored of eating the same thing again and again.

Then she went to the market and sold the leftover corn. She was also the one in charge of maintaining and taking care of the house and ensuring that her children went to school. And guess what the father did?

The father enjoyed comfortable and endless naps.

One day the mother was so tired from working that she didn’t have the energy to do each of her daily tasks and sell what was left over in the market to earn some coins. 

The mother then cried inconsolably.

She thought, “Who would feed my children and sell the corn in the market?”

Then she saw her husband merrily sleeping, unaware that she was unwell.

She thought, “All this would not happen if my husband helps me.”

However, she knew that her husband would never lift a finger and do any work. He was a very stubborn and selfish person who only enjoyed sleeping and walking in the countryside.

The mother was so tired that she decided to stop thinking and go to sleep so she could rest and collect more corn the next day.

Just as she was heading to her room, she saw something that was very shiny. Believing that it was the result of fatigue, she decided to continue on her way to the room. But again her eyes noticed the flashes. What was that? It couldn't be a ray of sunlight because it was already night, although it was undoubtedly coming through the window, so she decided to go out to see what that intense reflection could be...

 Children, any guesses on what was the shiny thing?

“It's a golden cob! OMG! I can't believe it!" The farmer woman said excitedly when she finally realized that the flashes were coming from the cornfield.

After picking up the golden cob, the woman ran to the house to tell her husband, who was already asleep.

“What is it? I am tired, let me sleep,” said the farmer angrily.

He opened his eyes a tiny bit, and was startled to see a golden cob. He immediately sprang up from the bed. The farmer couldn't believe what he saw.

He thought that his wife was so good and so hardworking that the gods would undoubtedly have wanted to reward her. Then the farmer realised his mistake of being lazy and not extending a helping hand. He knelt down and promised to help her with everything.

The next day the farmers decided to go sell that ear of gold, and with the money they got they bought more corn, some new clothes and fixed up their humble house. The father stopped lazing around and worked very hard since then with his wife, so the profits from the corn only grew and grew and they never went hungry again. The father of that beautiful family understood that all that had happened was the result of teamwork.

He indeed was never lazy after that and helped the mother.

Welcome to the Fox Tales series. The two stories in the episode are about the proud fox learning a lesson that he should not be boastful.

Free activity sheets and other downloadable resources available at www.rituvaish.com/archive-twin-stories-from-romania

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

The first story is: The Seven-Witted Fox and the One-Witted Owl

One day an owl met a fox, and the fox bragged about his intelligence and cleverness, and said proudly, “ I am very witty, probably the wittiest living being!”

The owl asked him, "Brother, brother! How many wits have you?"

"Seven," he said, boastingly.

"No wonder you are so clever. I have only one," said the owl sadly.

The fox raised his tail and walked away proudly.

A short time afterwards the owl again met the fox, but this time he was running for his life.

Children who do you think was behind the fox?

You may be right , Let’s see!

The hunters were after the fox, and the hound dogs were trying to catch him. Running as fast as his legs could carry him, he at last managed to slip into a hole.

The owl followed him, and seeing him there exhausted, asked him teasingly, "Couldn’t you any of your wits? Didn’t you say you have 7 wits!”

The fox replied, "Six. I have 6 wits, I lost one in the chase."

Meanwhile, the hunters and dogs came nearer and nearer, so they could hear the barking of the dogs. The fox did not know what to do. He was indeed very nervous.

The owl teasingly asked him, "How many wits have you now, old fellow?"

"Oh, I have lost all my wits, I have none left."

"Where is your cleverness of which you bragged so much ?"

"It is not kind of you, now, to tease a poor fellow when the dogs are at his heels, and there is no escape for him."

"Well," said the owl, "I have one wit, and I will see whether I can save you with that.”

Children, put on your thinking caps and think of a way that the owl will help the fox.

Then the owl added confidently, “It is my turn. I will lie down here at the entrance of this hole as though dead. When the hunters come, they will look at me get hold of me and probably discuss me. Meanwhile, they will forget you, and in the midst of all this confusion you just dash out and run for your life."

It happened just as the owl had said.

As soon as the hunters came up to the hole, they found the owl lying dead, I mean just acting dead, one of them said, "What is this ugly bird doing here? And a dead one too!

The second hunter added, “ Let’s kick him out of our way!”

“That’s right!” added the first hunter.

And while they were busy discussing what to do with the owl, and trying to get hold of it to throw it away, off went the fox through them and escaped.

Soon afterwards the owl met him again, and said, "How have your seven wits helped you when in time of danger? It is like that with people who have too much. They often have nothing when they want it the most. But you see, I had only one wit but a strong one and not a useless one like yours, and that saved not just me but you too.

So children, did that build your appetite for another story?

The next story is: The Fox and His Bagful of Wits and the One-Witted Hedgehog

One day somehow, a fox got into a poultry yard,

Children, do you know what kind of animals are there at a poultry farm?

Yes, the poultry farm has hens, turkeys, geese, ducks, etc.

So, after entering the farm, the fox ate to his heart’s content.

A few days later, the fox met a hedgehog who was going towards the poultry yard,

"Where are you going, brother?" asked the fox.      

"I am famished and want to get something to eat, but it’s tricky to enter the poultry farm. So, I am trying to find the best way to enter,” answered the hungry hedgehog.

"Oh," said the proud fox, "You just come with me, and I will show you. You know I am smart as I have a bag full of wits. I know my way, and there is plenty of poultry for you, and me and some to leave behind for another time."

The hedgehog, who was a wise old fellow himself, said to the fox, "A bag full of wits! That’s great I only have one wit. But let’s be careful. Now, be careful. Are you sure that the owners of the poultry yard will let you in again so easily?"

"Don't you worry," said the fox. "I know my business. Do not forget I have a bagful of wits. You just come with me,” said the fox leading the way.

And the hedgehog followed him.

But the people of the poultry farm were not such fools as the fox had taken them for.

Children, what do you think the people of the poultry farm did?

Ummm,. Let’s listen ahead

And just where the fox had gotten in last time the people of the poultry farm had dug a deep pit, and into that the fox and the hedgehog tumbled.

Ohhh no!

When they found themselves at the bottom of the pit, the hedgehog turned to the fox and said, "Well, you clever fellow, with a bagful of wits, is that the proper way to get into the poultry yard? Did I not warn you?"

"What is the good of arguing ?" replied the fox. "We are here now, and we must see how to get out of it."

Children, do you think the Fox will be able to get out, taking the help office bag full of wits.

Let’s see.

"But you are so clever, and I am only a poor old fool, why don’t you suggest Mr Fox?” said one very annoyed hedgehog.

"Why don’t you use one wit that you have and help us both get out of this deep pit?” said the fox angrily.

The two started quarrelling.

Finally, the hedgehog said, “I cannot help you. This sudden fall has upset me, and I feel uncomfortable and very sick."

"What," cried the fox. "You are not going to be sick here. That is more than I can stand. Out you go!"

So he got hold of the hedgehog by the snout, and the hedgehog coiled himself up with his little paws into a little ball around the fox's mouth. The fox lifted up his head with a jerk and threw the little fellow out of the pit.

Children, what do you think will happen now in the story?

As soon as the hedgehog saw himself safely out of the pit, the little hedgehog, bending over the mouth of the pit, said chuckling to the fox, "Where is your wisdom, you fool? You boast that you have a bagful of wits, but it is I who got myself out of the pit, though I have only a little wit."

"Oh," said the fox, whining, "do have pity on me! You are such a clever old fellow. Help me out of this pit too."

"Well, said the hedgehog, "I will help you. Now, you pretend to be dead, and when the people come and find you stiff and stark, they will say, 'The fox has died, and his carcass is rotting. It is going to make all the poultry farm stinky.” They will take you and throw you out. And then see wherever you land.

The fox did as the hedgehog had advised him, and when the people came and found him in that state, they hauled him out and threw him out of the farm onto the road. Quicker than you could clap your hands, the fox was on his legs, and he ran as if the ground was burning under him.

Since then the fox and the hedgehog have been good friends.

This is an adapted folktale from Australia. It’s a legend about how the mummy kangaroo got a pouch!

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/archive-how-the-kangaroo-got-her-pouch.

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Long ago mumma kangaroo was grooming her joey on the bank of a brook. They liked to listen to the water babble as the mama combed her baby’s fur.

As she gave a final touch to Joey’s coat, she said lovingly, “Always stay close to mumma. Whenever we go out, I get worried when you wander off.” 

Before Joey cold even nod, they heard the sound of weeping.

Children, who do you think is crying?

They saw an old wombat staggering toward them.

“Oh dear,” the kangaroo whispered to her baby. “This wombat is old and sick. He must have great-great-grandchildren already.”

As the wombat swung closer, she heard him say, “Useless and worthless, worthless and useless.”

“What’s the trouble, friend wombat?” she asked.

He said, startled. “Who said that?”

“I did,” said Mumma kangaroo. “A kangaroo and her joey here.”

“I can’t see properly,” the wombat replied. “Nobody wants me around. Nobody thinks about me. I’m no good anymore. They’ve abandoned me, all of them.”

The mumma kangaroo, who had a tender heart, said, “It’s not as bad as that at all. I’ll be your friend. My joey and I will show you where the tastiest grass grows.” She let the wombat hold her tail. Then, slowly, she led him over to the juiciest grass and the cleanest water. The old wombat sighed with pleasure. It made the kangaroo happy to see him feeling better.

Children, think of one way you helped someone this week.

Suddenly she remembered her Joey! She had told him to stay close, but he had wandered off again. She raced back to look for him. So many times this had happened. She had gone out looking for food, and when she looked up, the little joey had wandered off. It scared her terribly.

Fortunately, she found her joey asleep under a gum tree. Not wanting to wake him from his nap, she decided to go back and check on the old wombat. Something was moving in the bush. An Aboriginal hunter, silently stalking the wombat!

Children, what do you think the mumma kangaroo will do now?

The hunter’s boomerang was raised above his head. Its smooth edges are ready to slice the air.

Children a boomerang is a curved flat piece of wood that can be thrown so that it will return to the thrower. It was traditionally used by Australian Aboriginal people as a hunting weapon.

Well, getting on with the story.

When the kangaroo saw the hunter, she froze. She couldn’t even breathe. As you must have realized by now he kangaroo was very kind hearted, so in spite of the hunter, she wanted to protect the wombat!

The kangaroo began to stomp the branches and twigs under her feet. Thump, thump, crack, crack, she pounded the earth. The hunter turned toward her. “Run,” she screamed to the wombat, “Run, there’s a hunter.” The wombat took off crazily, not knowing where he was going. The hunter didn’t care. Now all he wanted was the mumma kangaroo!

Children, do you think the hunter will catch the kangaroo? Listen ahead.

She hopped as hard and fast as she could into the bush, away, away from where she had left her joey asleep. At last, she came to a cave. She was too tired to go any farther and collapsed on the dirt floor inside. At least the hunter would have to kill her in the cool dark, not out in the open where other animals would be forced to watch.

The hunter ran past the mouth of the cave! The kangaroo breathed a sigh of relief. She stayed inside, listening for his return. She was afraid to go out.

Finally, when she saw him walk past the mouth of the cave again, his boomerang hanging from his hand. She waited until it was safe, then ran as fast as she could back to the gum tree.

Children, who was there under the gum tree?

That’s right, there was her joey, awake and ready to play. Together they went to look for the wombat, but he had gone.

What the kangaroo mother did not know was that the wombat wasn’t a wombat. He was actually the great god Byamee who had put on a disguise.

Children, In Australian Aboriginal mythology, Baiame was the creator god who created all living things.

So, Byamee had put on a disguise and had descended from the sky world to find out which of his creatures had the kindest heart. Now he had an answer that pleased him greatly and that was the kangaroo. Byamee wanted to give her the gift that would help her most of all. So he called the sky spirits together and said, “Go down below to where the eucalyptus grow tall. Peel the long strips of the bark and make an apron.”

Children, why was Byamee, getting a bag? Put on your thinking caps.

Then Byamee added, “Give it to the kangaroo mother and explain that she must tie it around her waist.”

And so they did. At the very moment the kangaroo mother tied the apron around her waist, Byamee transformed it into soft kangaroo fur. It grew into her own flesh. Now she had a pouch in which to carry her baby joey. He could even sleep in there as she went about her daily tasks.

The kangaroo mother was very delighted with her gift. She thanked the Baymee God and the sky spirits. But because she was the kindest creature of all, she didn’t want to keep it only for herself. She thought about the other kangaroo mothers and about the kangaroo rats and all the other marsupials and requested that all her friends too get a bag like hers.

Byamee loved the kangaroo’s generous heart. So, he decided to make pouches for all the other marsupial mothers. Ever since then, their babies almost never get lost.

Today's story, Little Golu And The Ribbon, is an original story that teaches children to recognise basic shapes

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

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Little Golu was excited.

“Wow! A new set of 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.

'Jumpy Learns A lesson' is a story that teaches us to have the spirit of never giving up.

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/jumpy-learns-a-lesson

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Jumpy Frog opened his eyes to the bright sun of a new day. He stretched out his long legs and stuck out his tongue to taste the morning air. Jumpy hopped out of his bed onto the green, dew-soaked leaves and raced to his mom nearby.

“Wake up, Mommy, wake up,” Jumpy shouted with excitement.

“Good morning, my baby boy,”  his mom said. Jumpy yelled, “Do you know what today is?”

His mom teased, “No, what is today?”

Children, can you guess why is Jumpy so excited?

Let’s find out.

“My Birthday”, exclaimed Jumpy. “I’m 5 years old today.”

“Oh,” mom said, “Is it your birthday TODAY?”

“Mom, you remember, don’t you?” said Jumpy.

“Of course I do. It’s my favourite day of the year,” mom said. She pulled out a big box with a bright red bow.

“Happy Birthday, my son!”

“Oh, Mom, is this what I think it is?” Jumpy hoped she had gotten all his hints about what he wanted. A new guitar! The kind that his favourite band plays. Shiny blue and sounding awesome!

Jumpy pulled apart the wrapping paper and yanked off the bow. He opened the box and it was…… the guitar! Jumpy was so happy. He immediately picked it up and started playing. Only to his surprise, it did not sound too good.

Jumpy quickly got discouraged and threw down the guitar. Mom picked it back up and said, “Jumpy, try again. You’ll never know how good you could be if you give up so fast.”

Children, have you learned any new things recently? Please share what it was.

That’s lovely

Jumpy was disappointed. He wanted the guitar, but he did not want to take the time to learn to play it.

He surely did not want to hurt his mom’s feelings, so he picked the guitar back up and tried again. It sounded just as bad. He got very upset!

“Jumpy”, said his mom, “never give up. Practice, practice, and practice. Soon you’ll see that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.”

That night Jumpy tried again. The day after that he tried again. The day after that he tried again. Each day he tried a little longer and a little harder. Until one day Jumpy played the most beautiful song on his guitar.

His mom had been listening, as she had each day. She was so proud of him for not giving up.

Jumpy and his mom would sit for hours together while Jumpy played the song over and over until it was perfect!

Jumpy was so proud of himself and his mom was so proud of him too!

Jumpy said, “Thank you so much for buying me this guitar. I guess you believed in me before I even believed in myself!”

Jumpy’s mom said,” That’s what moms’ are for! With this guitar, you will make beautiful music forever. Now what better gift could there be?”

Jumpy said, “This is the best birthday gift ever.”

Jumpy and his mom sat together on a bunch of lily pads while Jumpy played his music as the sun set around them.

Welcome to the Turtle Tales series.

'The Turtle Who Couldn’t Stop Talking is a Jataka tale about a turtle who didn’t follow the instructions that were given to him and faced the consequences.

Free activity sheets and other downloadable resources are available at www.rituvaish.com/archive-the-turtle-who-could-not-stop-talking

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

A turtle lived in a pond at the foot of a hill. Two young wild Geese, looking for food, saw the turtle and started talking with him. The geese said, “It’s so much fun to talk to you. You are a very nice turtle”

“I also enjoyed myself talking to you both. Do come and visit me again!” answered the turtle.

Children, what do you think they talked about?

The next day the Geese came again to visit the turtle and the day after and the day-day after. In no time they became very well acquainted and soon they were great friends.

"Friend turtle," the Geese said one day, "We have a beautiful home far away. We are going to fly back to it tomorrow. It will be a long but pleasant journey. Will you come with us?"

"Oh, I really would have loved to, but how could I? I have no wings. Further, I walk so slowly that I could never reach just walking to your home," said the turtle sadly.

Children, can you suggest some way the turtle can travel to his friends’ homes?

Let’s see

Looking at their sad friend the geese discussed among themselves then suggested, "Oh, we will take you, but on one condition. You have to keep your mouth shut, and say not a word to anybody,"

"That’s easy, I can do that," said the turtle confidently. "Please do take me with you. I will do exactly as you wish."

So the next day, the geese brought a stick and two of them held the ends of it. "Now take the middle of this in your mouth, and don't say a word until we reach home," the two geese told the turtle.

The turtle was delighted and quickly held the stick in his mouth.          

The geese then sprang into the air, with the turtle between them, holding fast to the stick.

The turtle was having a great time looking at the land from high in the sky.

Children, can you tell three things that the turtle saw from the sky?

As they were flying over a village, the village children saw the two geese flying along with the turtle and cried out: "Oh, see the Turtle up in the air! Look at the Geese carrying a turtle by a stick! Did you ever see anything more ridiculous in your life!"

The turtle didn’t like the mockery of the children and forgetting the instructions of the geese started to say…

Children, what was the instruction of the geese?

Yes! The geese had instructed the turtle not to open his mouth till they reached home. But the turtle forgot all about it and he looked down and began to say, "Well, if my friends carry me, what business is that of yours?" when he let go, he tumbled down and fell with a big thud on the ground.

As the two Geese flew on, they heard the people say, when they came to see the poor turtle, "That fellow could not keep his mouth shut. He had to talk, and so faced the consequences."

Description: The Stone Soup Story is a European Folklore and a moral story. It has been passed down through generations to teach young ones that sharing and caring for those around you is a regular aspect of life. When we care for each other, we can lead a more fulfilling life, just like the villagers had a fulfilling meal because they decided to share their provisions.

.Free activity sheet available at https://www.rituvaish.com/the-stone-soup

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Once upon a time, there was a small village which was inhabited by poor people. They didn’t like sharing their things with others as they had very little. In fact, they would lock their doors and windows tight and keep the little food they had for themselves.

Children, I’m sure you are not like these villagers and like to share what you have. What do you like to share with your friends at school?

One day, a visitor passed through the village. He was very hungry and exhausted from his long journey. He stopped at the first house he could see and knocked on the door, hoping to get some food.

The woman inside cracked open the door a little and asked, “Who are you?”

“I am a traveller, and I was passing through your village. I am tired and hungry. Can I please have something to eat?”

“Go away; we hardly have any food here,” replied the woman. “I doubt you’ll find anyone here who has food to spare. We are all poor,” said the woman. After she said this, the woman closed the door in the traveller’s face.

The traveller was not ready to give up and picked up a large stone from the ground and knocked again on the woman’s door. The lady came to the door again and opened it only halfway.

“What do you want now?” asked the woman.

“Since you are poor like me, maybe you’d like to have some of my stone soup. It is delicious and fulfilling!”

“Stone soup, you say?” laughed the woman as she saw the stone in the traveller’s hand. “You can’t make soup from a stone.”

To that, the traveller replied, “Yes, you can! I’ve done it before.”

Children, what is your favourite soup?

The woman didn’t believe him as she had never seen someone make soup from stones before. However, she was hungry too, so she invited him in. She lit the fire placed a kettle of water on top, and opened the windows to let the heat out.

Then the traveller placed the stones in the water until the water started boiling. He took a sip of the hot liquid and said, “It’s almost done! But, if you had just a little salt and butter, it would taste much better!”

The woman went to her cupboard and returned with salt and butter. As the traveller was adding them to the stone soup, the woman’s husband returned home with carrots and potatoes in his hand.

“What are you cooking?” asked the woman’s husband.

“Stone soup!” replied the traveller and the woman. The man could not believe this and thought that it was impossible to make soup out of a stone.

“It’s almost finished!” said the traveller as he tasted another spoonful of the soup. “However, it would taste much better if we added carrots and potatoes to it,” said the traveller. The husband was also hungry, so he agreed to add some carrots and potatoes to the stone soup.

Soon, the smell of the soup drifted out of the open window and down the lane. A neighbour who usually stayed inside wandered out and followed the smell all the way to the first house.

There, he heard the woman, her husband and the traveller talking about the stone soup.

“Is the stone soup ready now?” the woman and her husband asked the traveller.

“Yes, but it could be even better if we had some turnips and beans!” “I have some!” yelled the neighbour who was watching them from the window.

The neighbour was curious to taste the soup made of stones, so he returned with turnips and beans. He poured it into the pot, and the smell of the soup drifted further into the village.

Word of a traveller making soup out of a stone drew the villagers out of their houses and towards the woman’s house. They all followed the smell. “Is the stone soup ready yet?” asked the villagers when they came to the window. “Yes, but I remember having stone soup with fresh chicken and broth in the stew once,” replied the traveller.

“I have chicken!” said a farmer and then ran home to get some. “I have broth!” exclaimed another villager who ran to fetch it. They both came and placed the items into the pot. By this moment, the pot was full to the brim with goodness.

Children, can you guess what the traveller was trying to do by asking each person to add something?

Yes! Make a delicious soup.

The traveller tried another sip of the soup, “Perfect!” he exclaimed. He then proceeded to serve a bowl of stone soup to every villager.

“It’s delicious!” said the villagers. “Where can we get this magic stone?” asked some. The traveller shook his head and pulled out the stone from the soup. The villagers realised that it was a normal stone, and the flavour of the soup came from the ingredients and not the stone.

The traveller drank what was left of the soup and continued with his journey. The villagers realised the importance of sharing, and from that day on, they shared their things with each other and lived happily together.

Tenali Raman was a learned scholar and a poet in King Krishnadevaraya’s court. He was a minister in the court and was also one of the eight poets. He was famous for his wit and quick thinking.

On the Story Prism podcast, Tenali Raman tales are a collection of some of those stories.

Today's story- Raman Outsmarts a Thief is a story that teaches us that being a quick thinker and witty can save us from dire situations. Do you think Raman would be able to save himself this time?

Free activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/archive-tenali-outsmarts-a-thief

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Once upon a time, Raman set out on a long journey. In those days, one had to walk through the jungle to get to another city.

Children, how can we travel from one place to another nowadays?

That’s a lot of ways, but long-long ago, people had to walk if they wanted to travel.

So, Raman started his journey. On the way, another traveller joined Raman, who said, “This forest is infested with thieves. I am afraid they will rob me. Can I travel with you?” the man asked Raman. Raman readily agreed.

That night, the two of them stopped at some place in the forest to rest. Raman was tired and fell asleep soon. His companion was waiting for this moment. In fact, he was a thief who used to rob travellers. He got up and looked under Raman’s pillow without disturbing him. He found nothing. He carefully searched Raman’s pockets looking for money. To his disappointment, he did not find even a paisa! Then he opened the bundle Raman was carrying. Again, he found nothing.

The next morning, the two resumed their journey. They halted for the night again. Raman again had a sound sleep. Whereas his companion yet again searched Raman’s belongings, looking for money and valuables. Again, he was disappointed.

The next day, the two travellers reached the holy city of Tirupati, the famous holy city in southern India. This was where Raman and his companion had to part company.

At that moment the companion confessed that he was a thief. “ I have never met with failure. But this time I failed. Now that we are parting company, please tell me where you hid the money in the night?” pleaded the thief. “Unless I know your secret, I may not be able to sleep,” he confessed.

Raman smiled, “I knew you were a thief the moment I saw you. I took care to hide money where you would never find it.”

Children, where do you think Raman hid his money?

Let’s listen ahead.

“But where? I looked for it everywhere,” cried out the thief.

“Did you look for it under your pillow?” asked Raman.

“I looked for it under your pillow and found nothing. Why should I look for your money under my pillow?” asked the bewildered thief.

“Because I hid the money under your pillow,” said Raman, “I was confident it was the one place you would never look for my money.”

That indeed surprised the thief's companion. He quietly went off his way thinking about how witty Raman was.

Careful and smart thinking can help one beat even the worst people in the world

Ganesha is the elephant-headed god of Hindus. 

This is a nice and funny story about Lord Ganesha. He was very fond of his devotees and at the same time used to have some good fun at their cost. He descends to earth during Ganeshotasav to be with his devotees. Except for one kind woman, no one in the village helps him, and he has taken the form of a poor boy

Free activity sheets and other downloadable resources are available at www.rituvaish.com/ganesha-and-the-bowl-of-kheer

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

It was festive time in India and everything seemed to be colourful. Ganesh Puja was on the cards and the whole village was getting itself ready to celebrate the Ganeshotsav. Every house was getting a new look. Men, women and children alike, were showcasing their new dresses. Preparation of sweets by every household was in full swing, after all, Ganesha loves sweets.

Children, which are your favourite sweets??

That’s nice.

Meantime, to celebrate Ganeshotsav, Ganesha himself decides to descend down to earth to be with his devotees and help them in the celebrations. Ganesha is a very wise and witty deity and so it was natural for him to have some fun.

One fine day, when the whole village was busy preparing for the festival, a young boy was seen on the streets. He seemed to be very poor. While he was wandering on the streets, he was announcing, “A spoonful of milk and a fistful of rice, that's all I have. Someone please make me a bowl of kheer for me.”

Whoever heard the boy, immediately got annoyed. What a wishful thinking. How dare the boy dream of getting a bowl of kheer from such a meagre quantity of rice and milk. Simply unthinkable.

So none of the villagers came to his help or offered him any sweets to eat. They simply shooed him away. But the boy was very determined, he kept on ranting about his spoonful of milk and a fistful of rice.

“A spoonful of milk and a fistful of rice, that's all I have. Someone please make me a bowl of kheer for me.” He kept announcing as he roamed around the streets.

Ultimately, at the fag end of the day, an old woman took pity on him. She invited him to her house and said that she would prepare a bowl of kheer for him. The boy was overjoyed to hear this. He asks the woman to get a very big vessel. The old woman laughs at such a suggestion. “A big vessel? What for? The quantity of rice and milk is so less, that it won't even fill a bowl.”

But the boy was adamant, he kept on asking for the biggest vessel. Finally, the woman relents goes to a neighbouring house of a washerwoman and gets a very big vessel. The milk and rice are poured into the vessel. A little bit of sugar is also added.

In the meantime, while the kheer was getting cooked, the boy excused himself and went out of the house. Before leaving, he makes the woman promise that she won't eat or taste the kheer before he does. After a while, the woman too falls asleep and goes to bed. A very nice aroma was coming from the kheer and was filling the whole house. The aroma woke up the woman and she rushed towards the kitchen. Surprise, the huge vessel was overflowing with the most delicious looking kheer. It was filled to the brim.

She understands, it must be the blessing of Lord Ganesha himself.

She takes a spoon of the creamy white kheer and rushes to offer it to the idol of Ganesha, she had in her prayer room.

“Thank you lord Ganesha. I am blessed. I am offering this first spoon of kheer to you. ”

Looking at the lovely kheer, she got very hungry herself. She wanted to have a bite too, but alas, she has promised she won't taste before the boy.

“And where is the wretched boy? Why he is not coming?” she thought to herself.

Already he has given a lot of trouble to her, by asking her to cook for him.

Unable to contain her hunger anymore, she helps herself with a bowl of the mouth-watering dish. It was so delicious that she goes for a second helping, then a third, fourth and so on till she is unable to take anymore.

Lo and behold!

Magic! sheer magic, the vessel remained full to the brim, filling up again and again.

Soon after, the boy returns. The woman feels very guilty and ashamed of herself. She was not able to keep her promise. But the boy consoles her telling that she has already fed him. The woman was surprised to hear that. When did she feed him? No, never. With a chuckle, the boy replies, he was the Ganesha whom she fed in her puja room. Thus she has kept her promise. Saying thus, Ganesha takes his real form. The old woman immediately falls on the feet of Ganesha, weeping at the same time, for not having recognized him.

Ganesha lifts her up, embraces her and tells her to ask for a wish. The woman replies that she is a poor uneducated woman and doesn't know how to ask one. Ganesha advises her to try. The woman then wishes to Ganesha, that she be made into a young, beautiful and rich woman with a beautiful palace and a garden. Ganesha smiles at her. Of course the woman is not so foolish. In one wish itself she has asked for so many things. He asks the woman to distribute the kheer to the whole of the village first, then he will see whether to grant her wish or not. The woman immediately rushes off to fulfil the task given by Ganesha and in no time she completes it too.

On her return, she finds that Ganesha is there waiting for her. She asks him about her wish. Ganesha asks her to turn back and bend down. As soon as she turns and bends, she feels a hard push on her back, stumbles forward and falls flat on her face.

Children, can you please tell me what was happening to the woman?

Let’s listen ahead.

The woman gets very angry, and gets up to admonish Ganesha, but at that very instant she realizes that she is in a different world. She finds herself surrounded by beautiful flowers, and trees and facing to her is a big palace. She was wearing beautiful dresses and ornaments.

She thanks Ganesha for fulfilling her wish. The villagers when they came to know of this incident, felt very ashamed of themselves. That Lord Ganesha himself came to their place and they failed to welcome him. They rush to the old woman's place and ask for Ganesha's forgiveness. Ganesha had a heart of gold and forgave everyone.