Little Ramayana: Rama is crowned

Told in English, Telugu.

Long, long ago, in a far away forest, Rama and Sita and Lakshmana had lived for fourteen years. Now the long time was over. It was time to go home to Ayodhya.

They climbed into a wonderful flying chariot called Pushpaka. It rose up, up, up into the sky, like a big bird with golden wings. Down below, the rivers shone like silver ribbons, and the trees looked like tiny green umbrellas.

Hanuman flew ahead, fast as the wind, to tell the good news. He found Bharata, Rama's dear little brother. Bharata had waited and waited all those years. He had put Rama's sandals on the throne, and every day he said, This throne belongs to my brother.

Hanuman smiled and said, Bharata, Rama is coming home!

Bharata's eyes filled with happy tears. He ran to tell everyone. Rama is coming home! Rama is coming home!

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

The whole city of Ayodhya woke up with joy. People swept their doorsteps. They drew pretty muggulu in front of their houses. They tied mango leaves on every door. Children ran through the streets with flowers in their hands. And when evening came, everyone lit little lamps, so many lamps that the whole city twinkled like the stars.

Then, look! Up in the sky! The flying chariot came gently down, down, down.

Out stepped Rama, kind and strong. Out stepped Sita, gentle and bright. Out stepped Lakshmana, brave and loyal. And Hanuman stood close beside them, smiling his big, happy smile.

Bharata ran to Rama. He bowed down and placed the sandals at Rama's feet. Brother, he said softly, I kept your place safe. Now please come and be our king.

Rama lifted Bharata up and hugged him tight. Shatrughna, the youngest brother, hugged them too. Four brothers, all together again.

Then the three mothers came, Kausalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra. Rama bowed to each of them, and they kissed his forehead and held his hands. Everyone was smiling. Everyone was home.

The next morning, the big day came. The music played, tum tum tum, and the conch shells sang, oom, oom. The wise teacher Vasishta placed a shining golden crown on Rama's head. Rama sat on the throne, and Sita sat beside him, like the sun and the moon together.

The people threw flowers and called out, Jai Sri Ram! Jai Sri Ram!

Shall we say it too? Jai Sri Ram!

Then Rama gave gifts to all his friends who had helped him. And Sita took off her shining pearl necklace. She looked at Rama, and Rama nodded gently. So Sita placed the necklace around Hanuman's neck, because Hanuman had been so brave, so loving and so true.

Hanuman bowed low, his heart full of love for Rama and Sita.

And from that day on, Rama was a good and gentle king. He cared for everyone, the big people and the small people, the cows in the fields and the birds in the trees. The rains came on time, the paddy grew tall and green, and every child in Ayodhya went to sleep happy and safe.

Just like you, my little one. Close your eyes now. Rama has come home, and all is well.