Ganesha and the Race Around the World

A long, long time ago, on a beautiful mountain called Kailash, there lived a happy family. The father was Lord Shiva, the mother was Goddess Parvati, and they had two sons — Ganesha and Kartikeya.

Ganesha had the head of an elephant. He had big, kind eyes, large floppy ears, and a long trunk. He loved sweets, especially round laddoos! His brother Kartikeya was strong and fast. He rode a beautiful peacock that could fly very, very quickly through the sky.

One day, something special happened. A golden fruit fell from the sky! It was the most wonderful fruit anyone had ever seen. It glowed like the sun. Both brothers wanted it.

"I want the fruit!" said Kartikeya. "I want the fruit too!" said Ganesha.

Shiva and Parvati smiled. They had an idea.

"Let us have a race," said Lord Shiva. "Whoever goes around the whole world and comes back first will win the golden fruit."

Kartikeya jumped up right away. "Easy!" he said. He hopped onto his peacock and zoom — off he went! He flew over tall mountains. He flew over deep blue oceans. He flew over green forests and sandy deserts. He was so fast! The wind blew through his hair as he raced around the whole, big world.

But what about Ganesha? Ganesha looked at his little mouse, Mushika. His mouse was tiny. It could not fly. It could not run fast like a peacock. Ganesha sat down and thought. He was a very good thinker.

Then Ganesha smiled. He had a wonderful idea!

Ganesha stood up. He walked over to his mother and father. Very slowly, very lovingly, he walked in a circle around Shiva and Parvati. He walked around them one time. Then he walked around them two times. Then he walked around them three times.

Shiva and Parvati looked surprised. "Ganesha, why are you walking around us? The race is around the world!"

Ganesha put his hands together and bowed. "Dear Amma and Appa," he said sweetly, "you ARE my whole world. Everything important to me is right here. When I walk around you, I walk around my whole world."

Shiva and Parvati were so happy! Their hearts felt warm and full of love. What Ganesha said was so wise and so true.

Just then, Kartikeya came flying back. He was tired and dusty from his long trip. "I did it! I went around the whole world! I win!" he shouted.

But Shiva shook his head with a gentle smile. "Ganesha was here first," he said. "And his answer was very wise."

Shiva gave the golden fruit to Ganesha.

Do you know what we can learn from this story? We learn that being clever is just as good as being fast. We learn that loving our parents is one of the most important things we can do. And we learn that our family is our whole world.

When we walk around a temple or around our parents with respect, it is called Pradakshina. It means we are showing love. Next time you see your mom or dad, give them a big hug. They are your whole world too!

And if you ever see a picture of Ganesha, remember — he is not just the god with the elephant head. He is the god who showed everyone that love and wisdom always win the race.