Little Ramayana: Sita and Rama in the forest

Told in English, Telugu.

Long, long ago, in the beautiful city of Ayodhya, there lived a kind prince named Rama. Rama had a gentle wife named Sita, and a loving brother named Lakshmana.

One day, Rama's father, King Dasharatha, had to keep an old promise. Because of that promise, Rama had to go and live in the forest for a long, long time.

Rama did not cry. Rama did not shout. He said softly, "A promise is a promise. I will go."

Sita held his hand and said, "Where you go, I will go too."

And Lakshmana said, "I will come with you, brother. I will look after you both."

So where Rama walked, Sita walked, and Lakshmana walked close behind. Can you say it with me? Where Rama walked, Sita walked, and Lakshmana walked close behind.

They came to the big river Ganga. A kind boatman named Guha was waiting there. Guha loved Rama very much. He rowed them across the water, splash, splash, splash, all the way to the other side.

Then they walked into the forest. Oh, the forest was so green! Tall trees stood like giants. Little birds sang, tweet, tweet. Bees hummed, hmmm, hmmm. Soft grass tickled their feet.

Where Rama walked, Sita walked, and Lakshmana walked close behind.

They walked and walked, until they came to a lovely place called Panchavati, near the shining river Godavari. The water sparkled in the sun. Flowers smiled on every side.

Rama said, "This is a happy place. Let us stay here."

So Lakshmana cut thin branches. Rama brought big green leaves. Sita tied them together with soft grass. And what did they make? A little hut! A cosy little hut of leaves and wood, with a door that faced the morning sun.

Every morning, Sita went to the river to fetch fresh water. Every morning, Rama and Lakshmana gathered sweet fruits and roots for food. They ate together, sitting on the cool ground, and they laughed and talked.

The forest animals came to visit. A little spotted deer came close, and Sita gave it tender grass to eat. A peacock spread its feathers wide and danced for her. Squirrels ran up and down the trees, chik, chik, chik. The birds came to sing near the hut every evening.

At night, the stars came out, one, two, three, and then hundreds and hundreds. Rama and Sita sat outside the hut and looked up at the sky. Lakshmana sat near the door with his bow, keeping watch, so everyone could sleep safe and sound.

Sita said, "We have no palace here. We have no golden plates. But I am happy."

Rama smiled and said, "We are happy because we are together."

And Lakshmana smiled too.

So the days went by in the green forest, with the river singing and the birds singing, and the three of them always side by side.

Where Rama walked, Sita walked, and Lakshmana walked close behind.

Now close your eyes, little one. Can you hear the river Godavari? Can you see the little leaf hut? Rama and Sita are sleeping, and Lakshmana is keeping watch. And you are safe and loved, just like them. Good night.