Little Ramayana: Hanuman jumps across the sea

Told in English, Telugu.

Long, long ago, Sita, the kind wife of Rama, was taken far away. Rama was very sad. His friends, the monkeys and the bears, said, "Do not worry, Rama. We will help you find her!"

They searched the hills. They searched the forests. At last they came to the edge of the big blue sea. Splash went the waves. Swoosh went the wind.

An old eagle named Sampati lived on a hill there. His eyes could see very, very far. "I can see Sita," said Sampati. "She is in Lanka, across the sea."

The monkeys looked at the water. It was so wide! "Who can cross such a big sea?" they asked. One said, "I cannot jump that far." Another said, "Not me!"

Hanuman sat quietly. Then wise old Jambavan, the bear, smiled at him. "Hanuman, you are the son of the Wind. You are strong and you are brave. You can do it!"

Hanuman stood up. He thought of Rama, and his heart felt big and warm. He said, "Jai Sri Ram!" Can you say it with me? Jai Sri Ram!

Hanuman grew bigger, and bigger, and bigger, until he was as tall as a mountain. He bent his knees. One, two, three... Whoosh! Up he jumped, into the sky.

Up, up, over the sea, Hanuman flies for Rama, brave and free!

The wind helped him along. The clouds moved out of his way. Far below, the little fish looked up and waved their fins.

In the middle of the sea, a small mountain popped up out of the water. "Hanuman, you must be tired," said the mountain. "Come, rest on me." Hanuman patted the mountain gently. "Thank you, kind friend. But I cannot stop. Sita is waiting." And on he flew.

Up, up, over the sea, Hanuman flies for Rama, brave and free!

Then a big sea-snake mother named Surasa rose up from the waves. The gods had sent her to see if Hanuman was clever. "You may pass," she said with a smile, "only if you go through my mouth!" She opened her mouth wide. Hanuman made himself bigger. Surasa made her mouth bigger still.

Then Hanuman had an idea. He made himself tiny, tiny, as small as your thumb. Zip! He flew into her mouth. Zip! He flew right out again! Surasa laughed. "Clever Hanuman! You did just what I said. Go now, and may you find Sita."

Up, up, over the sea, Hanuman flies for Rama, brave and free!

At last Hanuman saw land. Golden walls shone in the moonlight. This was Lanka! He landed softly, light as a leaf. So that no one would see him, he made himself as small as a little cat. Pad, pad, pad. He tiptoed quietly through the city.

In a garden of tall trees, he saw a gentle lady sitting alone, softly saying Rama's name. It was Sita! Hanuman climbed down from a tree and bowed. "Mother Sita, Rama sent me. Here is his ring." Sita held the ring close, and her face shone with a smile. "Rama is coming," she whispered. "Thank you, dear Hanuman."

Hanuman's heart was full of joy. He had crossed the whole wide sea because he was brave, and because he loved Rama.

So when something feels too big for you, little one, remember Hanuman. Take a deep breath, think of everyone who loves you, and say, Jai Sri Ram!