Little Ramayana: Little Rama and Lakshmana

Told in English, Telugu.

Long, long ago, in the beautiful city of Ayodhya, there lived a kind king named Dasharatha. He had three queens, Kausalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra. For many years the big palace was very quiet, because there were no little children to laugh and play.

Then one happy day, four baby boys were born! Queen Kausalya had baby Rama. Queen Kaikeyi had baby Bharata. And Queen Sumitra had two babies together, Lakshmana and Shatrughna. The whole city lit lamps. People sang songs. Bells rang in every temple. Ding, ding, ding!

Baby Lakshmana loved his big brother Rama very, very much. One night, the palace maids put Lakshmana to sleep in his own little cradle. But Lakshmana cried and cried. They rocked him gently. They sang him a soft song. Still he cried.

Then Queen Sumitra smiled. "I know what my little one wants," she said. She carried Lakshmana to Rama's cradle and laid him down right beside his brother. At once, Lakshmana stopped crying. He held Rama's tiny finger, and he fell fast asleep.

Where Rama goes, Lakshmana goes too. Can you say it with me? Where Rama goes, Lakshmana goes too.

The babies grew bigger. When Rama crawled across the shiny palace floor, Lakshmana crawled right after him. When Rama took his first wobbly steps, Lakshmana wobbled along, holding his hand.

At mealtime, the mothers brought bowls of warm, sweet milk rice. But Lakshmana would not take a single bite until Rama was eating too. So Rama always shared. "One spoon for me, and one spoon for you," he would say. And Lakshmana would giggle and open his mouth wide.

Where Rama goes, Lakshmana goes too. Say it again with me. Where Rama goes, Lakshmana goes too.

Soon the four brothers were old enough to go to school. Their teacher was a wise and gentle sage named Vasishtha. He taught them prayers and good stories. He taught them to speak the truth and to be kind to everyone. He taught them to ride horses and to shoot arrows with a bow.

When Rama sat down to learn, Lakshmana sat down beside him. When Rama picked up his bow, Lakshmana picked up his bow too. And Bharata and Shatrughna were best friends, just like Rama and Lakshmana.

One evening, the boys were running in the palace garden. Lakshmana ran so fast that he tripped and fell. Oh no! His knee was scraped, and his eyes filled with tears.

Rama ran back at once. He sat down beside his little brother. He blew softly on the sore knee. "Don't worry, little brother," Rama said. "I am here."

Lakshmana wiped his eyes and smiled. "And I will always be with you, Anna," he said.

King Dasharatha was watching from the window. His heart felt warm and happy. "My sons love each other so much," he said to the queens. "That is the greatest treasure in our whole kingdom."

That night, the two brothers lay side by side, just as they did when they were babies. The moon shone softly over Ayodhya. And little Lakshmana held his brother's hand as he drifted off to sleep.

Where Rama goes, Lakshmana goes too. One last time, softly now. Where Rama goes, Lakshmana goes too.

Good night, little one.