Generous Karna

Told in English, Telugu.

Long, long ago, in the time of the Mahabharata, there lived a warrior named Karna. Karna was not like other children. When he was born, he was already wearing a shining golden armor on his chest, and two bright golden earrings in his ears. They glowed like little pieces of the morning sun.

Do you know why? Karna was the son of Surya, the Sun god himself. The armor and earrings were his father's gift. As long as Karna wore them, no arrow and no sword could ever hurt him.

Karna grew up to be a mighty archer. But people did not only talk about how strong he was. They talked about his kind heart. Every day at noon, Karna stood in the river, folded his hands and prayed to the Sun. And everyone knew one thing. If anyone came to Karna at that time and asked for something, Karna would never say no. Never, ever.

Now, Lord Indra, the king of the gods, was worried. His own son was Arjuna, and one day Arjuna and Karna would have to face each other in a great battle. Indra thought, "As long as Karna wears that golden armor, nobody can win against him. I must find a way to take it."

So Indra made a clever plan. "I will dress up as a poor old Brahmin," he said. "I will go to Karna at noon, when he is praying. Karna never refuses anyone. He will have to give me his armor."

But someone was watching from the sky. Surya, the Sun god, saw everything. That night, while Karna was sleeping, a bright and gentle figure appeared in his dream.

"My dear Karna," said Surya softly. "Listen carefully. Tomorrow, Indra will come to you in disguise, dressed as a Brahmin. He will ask for your armor and your earrings. Please do not give them. They keep you safe. Without them, you could be in great danger."

Karna bowed his head. Then he looked up and said, "Father, I thank you for caring about me. But I have made a promise. Whoever comes to me asking, I will give. If I break that promise, what is left of me? My good name is more precious to me than any armor."

Surya was quiet for a long time. Then he sighed. "I knew you would say that, my son. Then at least do one thing. When you give the armor, ask Indra for his special spear in return. It may protect you one day."

Karna woke up. The sun was rising. His heart was calm, but he knew what the day would bring.

At noon, Karna went to the river as always. He stood in the cool water, closed his eyes and prayed. Just as he finished, he heard footsteps. He turned around. There, on the riverbank, stood an old Brahmin with a long white beard and a walking stick.

"Bhiksham dehi," said the old man. "Please give me alms."

Karna smiled and folded his hands. "Welcome, respected one. What would you like? Shall I give you a hundred cows? A village full of rice fields? Gold and jewels?"

The old man shook his head. "I do not want cows. I do not want villages. I do not want gold."

"Then what do you wish for?" asked Karna.

The old man pointed one finger at Karna's chest. "I want your golden armor, and your golden earrings."

The birds by the river stopped singing. The wind became still. Even the water seemed to hold its breath. What would Karna do?

Karna looked at the old man for a moment. Then he laughed gently. "Lord Indra," he said, "I know who you are. The king of the gods has come to my door with his hands open, asking me for a gift. What a lucky day this is for me! Of course I will give it."

Indra was so surprised that he could not speak.

"But," said Karna, "since I am giving you something so precious, will you give me something too? Will you give me your special spear?"

Indra nodded. "I will, Karna. But listen. This spear can be used only one time. After that, it will come back to me."

"That is enough," said Karna.

Then Karna began to take off his golden armor. It had been part of him since the day he was born, so it was not easy. It was hard, and it hurt. But Karna did not frown, not even once. He kept smiling. Then he took off his earrings too, and placed everything in Indra's hands.

Indra's eyes filled with tears. He touched Karna's shoulder gently, and at once, all the hurt went away. Karna's body was bright and strong, without a single mark.

"Karna," said Indra softly, "I came here to trick you. But you have taught me something instead. There is no one in all the three worlds as generous as you."

Then, from the sky above, flowers began to fall like soft rain. The gods were cheering for Karna.

From that day on, people everywhere called him Daana Veera Karna, the hero of giving. Even today, when someone is very, very generous, people in our homes say, "Look at him, he gives like Karna!"

So, my dear, can you say it with me? Daana Veera Karna. Now close your eyes, and think of something kind you can give to someone tomorrow. Goodnight.