Yashoda Sees the Universe in Krishna's Mouth

Told in English, Telugu.

Long ago, in the village of Gokulam, there lived a little boy named Krishna. He had dark curly hair, a peacock feather on his head, and the sweetest smile you have ever seen. His mother was Yashodamma, and she loved him more than anything in the world.

One sunny morning, Krishna was playing in the yard with his big brother Balarama and their friends. They ran after the calves. They rolled in the soft grass. And then little Krishna sat down near a puddle, picked up a bit of mud, and popped it into his mouth!

His friends gasped. They ran to the house as fast as their legs could go. "Yashodamma! Yashodamma! Krishna ate mud!"

Yashodamma came out with her hands on her hips. "Krishna, come here," she said. "Did you eat mud?"

Krishna shook his curly head. "No, Amma. I did not eat any mud. They are telling a fib!"

Yashodamma looked at him. She looked at his friends. Then she bent down and said, "Open your mouth, little Krishna. Open it wide."

Can you say it with me? Open your mouth, little Krishna. Open it wide.

So Krishna opened his little mouth. Ahhh.

And Yashodamma peeked inside.

She did not see any mud. Instead, she saw the whole blue sky! She saw the bright golden sun and the soft silver moon. She saw stars, so many stars, twinkling like tiny lamps on Deepavali night.

She looked again. Open your mouth, little Krishna. Open it wide.

Now she saw tall mountains with snow on top. She saw rivers running and big oceans with waves going swish, swish, swish. She saw forests full of birds and elephants and deer.

She looked once more. Open your mouth, little Krishna. Open it wide.

And there, inside that tiny mouth, she saw the village of Gokulam. She saw the cows and the cowsheds. She saw her own house. And standing in front of the house, she saw herself, Yashodamma, bending down and looking into Krishna's mouth!

Yashodamma blinked. Her eyes grew very big. "How can the whole world fit inside my little boy?" she whispered. "Who is this child?"

Krishna saw that his mother was full of wonder, and maybe a tiny bit puzzled. He did not want her to worry. So, gently, gently, like a soft breeze, he made her forget what she had seen.

Yashodamma blinked again. Now she only saw her little boy, with a bit of mud on his chin, smiling up at her.

"Oh, my Kanna," she laughed. She wiped his chin with the end of her saree. Then she scooped him up and held him close to her heart. "No more mud for you. Come inside. I have fresh butter waiting."

Krishna giggled and hugged her tight.

You see, little one, Krishna was the one who holds the sun, the moon and all the stars. But to Yashodamma, he was simply her darling child, and that was the most wonderful thing of all.

So tonight, when you snuggle up with your Amma, remember: there is a whole wide world of love inside every little heart. Even yours.

Good night.