When Rama wanted the moon

It was the day of the full moon. Kausalya was feeding her son, Rama, showing him the full moon in the sky.

The little child was captivated by the bright moon in the sky. “Give me,” he said.

Kausalya thought Rama was asking for more food. She tried to feed him another morsel. The child pushed her away, repeating his demand. “Give me,” he said pointing the moon up in the sky.

Kausalya laughed at the innocence of her child. She hugged him. But little Rama was still under the spell of the moon. “Give me,” he said loudly, pointing to the moon in the sky. He started crying.

King Dashratha came running; so did his other two queens, Sumitra and Kaikeyi. They all tried to pacify Rama and divert his attention. But the little fellow would not be diverted. He wanted the moon.

Then Kaikeyi had an idea. She ran to her room and returned with a mirror. She handed it over to Rama.

The child looked at the mirror and saw the moon’s reflection in it.

“I got the moon,” he jumped in joy.

Kausalya was relieved. As little Rama played with the moon “in his hand,” Kaikeyi fed him, much to the delight of King Dashratha.

A mythological folktale