Little Ramayana: Rama comes home

Told in English, Telugu.

Long, long ago, in a beautiful city called Ayodhya, there lived a kind prince named Rama.

Rama had gone away to live in the forest for fourteen years. His dear wife Sita went with him. His loving brother Lakshmana went with him too.

Fourteen years is a very long time. That is longer than you have been alive! Everyone in Ayodhya missed Rama very much.

Rama had another brother called Bharata. Bharata loved Rama so much. He did not want to sit on the king's throne without Rama. So do you know what he did? He took Rama's sandals and placed them on the throne. Every day he looked at the sandals and said, "These are my brother's. Rama is our true king. One day, he will come back."

And every day, Bharata waited and waited.

Now, at last, the fourteen years were over. Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were safe and happy and ready to go home. With them was their good friend Hanuman, the strong and brave monkey who loved Rama with all his heart.

They climbed into a wonderful flying chariot called the Pushpaka. Up, up, up it went, high into the sky, over rivers and hills and green forests.

Rama said, "Hanuman, please fly ahead and tell Bharata that we are coming."

Whoosh! Hanuman flew quickly through the sky. He found Bharata and said, "Good news, Bharata! Rama is coming home!"

Bharata's eyes filled with happy tears. He ran out and called to everyone, "Rama is coming home! Rama is coming home!"

Can you say it with me? Rama is coming home! Rama is coming home!

The news went from house to house. The children clapped. The grandmothers smiled. The mothers drew pretty muggulu in front of their doors. The fathers hung green mango leaves over every gate. Flowers were scattered on all the roads.

And when evening came, the people lit little lamps. One lamp, two lamps, a hundred lamps, a thousand lamps! The whole city of Ayodhya glowed like the stars had come down to play.

Rama is coming home! Rama is coming home!

Then, look up! There in the sky was the flying chariot, shining bright. Slowly, gently, it came down.

Rama stepped out. Bharata ran to him, and Rama held his brother in a big, warm hug. Lakshmana hugged Bharata too. Then Rama bowed to his three mothers, Kausalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra, and they hugged him and kissed his face.

Bharata held out the sandals and said, "Brother, I kept these safe for you. Now please wear them, and be our king."

Rama smiled and slipped his feet into his sandals. He had kept his promise. He had come home.

Soon there was a grand crowning. Rama sat on the throne, with Sita beside him. Lakshmana, Bharata and the youngest brother Shatrughna stood close by. And Hanuman sat at Rama's feet, so happy he could not stop smiling.

Rama became a kind and gentle king. He took care of everyone, big and small. The farmers were happy, the children were happy, even the cows and the birds were happy.

And in many homes, even today, when we light little lamps, we remember that happy night, when everyone sang together, Rama has come home! Rama has come home!

Now close your eyes, my little one. You are home too, safe and warm and loved. Good night.