Strong, hungry Bhima

Told in English, Telugu.

Long, long ago, there were five brothers called the Pandavas. They lived with their mother, Kunti. Of all the brothers, one was the biggest, the strongest, and, oh, the hungriest of all. His name was Bhima.

Bhima had arms as thick as tree trunks. He could lift a heavy log as if it were a little stick. And he could eat! He could eat a whole mountain of rice and still ask, "Is there a little more?"

At one time, the Pandavas had to hide from people who wished them harm. So they wore the simple clothes of poor wandering priests, a kind of disguise, and went to live in a small village called Ekachakra. A kind family gave them a room in their house. Every day, the brothers went out to collect rice and grain, and every evening, Kunti cooked and shared the food.

Now listen to this. Kunti always divided the food into two big parts. One half was for herself and four of her sons. And the other half? The other half was all for Bhima! He was so big and strong that he needed it. Bhima would eat his share and pat his tummy happily.

One evening, Kunti was sitting quietly in the house when she heard a sound from the next room. Someone was crying. Then another voice joined in, and another. The whole family was weeping.

Kunti went to them gently. "What is the matter?" she asked. "You have been so kind to us. Please tell me why you are crying."

The father of the house wiped his eyes. "Mother, near our village lives a huge, cruel giant called Baka. He is a rakshasa, very big and very strong. Long ago, he troubled our village terribly. So the people made a promise to him. Every week, one family must send him a cart full of rice and food, pulled by two buffaloes. And one person from that family must go with the cart. That person never comes back."

He looked down sadly. "Tomorrow, it is our turn."

The mother held her little children close. "Who should go?" she whispered. "How can we choose?"

Kunti's heart felt heavy for them. Then she thought of her son, her big, strong Bhima. She smiled kindly.

"Do not cry," she said. "You have five sons? No, you have little ones who need you. I have five sons. One of my sons will go to the giant tomorrow. My Bhima is very strong. He will be safe, and so will you."

The family could not believe it. "Mother, you are too kind. We cannot let your son go!"

But Kunti only said, "Trust me."

When Bhima heard the plan, do you know what he did? He clapped his big hands and laughed. "A whole cart full of food? Just for me? Mother, this is the best news I have heard in many days!"

The next morning, the villagers filled the cart. There were pots of rice, bowls of curd, sweet laddus, heaps of vegetables and pots of ghee. Bhima climbed onto the cart, picked up the reins of the two buffaloes, and off he went, down the road towards the forest where Baka lived.

The villagers watched him go. Their hearts were going thump, thump, thump. Would this young man really be safe?

Bhima reached the edge of the forest. It was very quiet. The trees were tall and dark. Bhima looked around. No giant yet.

Then he looked at all that lovely food. His tummy gave a big rumble. "Hmm," said Bhima. "Why should a cruel giant eat this good food? It would be a pity to waste it. I think I will eat it myself!"

So Bhima sat down right there and began to eat. A pot of rice, gone! A bowl of curd, gone! Laddu after laddu, gone, gone, gone!

Just then, the ground began to shake. Boom. Boom. BOOM! Through the trees came Baka the giant. He was as tall as a palm tree, with wild hair and a loud, rumbling voice.

"WHO is eating MY food?" roared Baka.

Bhima did not even look up. He just took another big bite. "I am," he said, chewing happily. "It is very tasty. Thank you."

Baka was so angry his face turned red. He had never seen anyone who was not afraid of him! He ran at Bhima and hit him on the back with his huge fist. Thud!

But Bhima just kept eating. "Please wait," he said. "I have not finished my lunch."

Now Baka was furious. He pulled up a whole tree and swung it at Bhima. But Bhima simply finished his last mouthful, wiped his hands, and stood up. He caught the tree in his strong arms and tossed it aside.

Then the two of them wrestled. They pushed and pulled. The ground shook and the birds flew up from the trees. Baka was big, but Bhima was strong and brave, and he was fighting to protect a whole village. At last, Bhima threw the giant down with a mighty crash. Baka was defeated, and he would never trouble anyone ever again.

Bhima dusted off his hands and walked back to the village, smiling.

When the villagers saw him coming, they could hardly believe their eyes. "He is back! He is safe!" they shouted. And when they heard that Baka was gone forever, they cheered and danced. Children ran out into the lanes. Mothers and fathers hugged one another. The family who had been crying the night before cried again, but this time, they were happy tears.

Kunti hugged her son tightly. "I knew you could do it, Bhima."

Bhima grinned and patted his tummy. "That was a good lunch, Mother. But tell me, what are we having for dinner?"

And everyone laughed.

So you see, little one, Bhima was strong and Bhima was hungry. But best of all, Bhima used his strength to help people who were frightened. Can you think of a way you could help someone today?