The strength he forgot

In this episode

• The monkeys reach the seashore and wonder who can carry Rama's message across.
• Hanuman sits quietly, because he has forgotten how strong he is.
• Wise old Jambavan reminds him, and Hanuman stands tall and believes in himself.

Read along

Hello again, little friend. Do you remember little Hanuman, who helped the baby bird? He has grown up now. Today he is sitting on a beach.

**

In front of him is the sea. It is wide and blue, and it goes on and on, all the way to the sky.

With Hanuman are many friends, a big group of monkeys, and a wise old bear named **Jambavan**.

They have come here to help Rama. Rama's dear wife **Sita** is far away, on the other side of this sea. Rama misses her very much. He wants someone to go across and tell her, "Rama loves you, and he is coming."

But how will anyone cross such a big sea? There is no bridge. There is no boat big enough. There is only the water, and the sky, and the far, far away shore.

**

The monkeys sat on the soft sand and began to talk.

One said, "I can jump a little way, but not that far."

Another said, "I can jump a bit more. But not all the way."

Even the young prince **Angada** said, "I think I can get there. But I am not sure I can come back."

Everyone went quiet. The waves went swish, swish.

**

And Hanuman? He sat a little away from the others, looking at the sea. He did not say anything.

You see, Hanuman had forgotten something. He had forgotten how strong he was. He thought he was just like everybody else.

**

Old Jambavan noticed him. He walked over slowly, and sat down beside him.

"Hanuman," he said kindly, "why are you so quiet?"

Hanuman shrugged. "What can I do?"

Jambavan smiled. "Let me tell you something about yourself. When you were little, you were as fast as the wind. You are the son of the wind, Hanuman. You are brave, and you are clever, and you are kind. You have always been strong. You only forgot. And look how many friends are here, all hoping you will remember."

**

Hanuman listened. He thought about it. And slowly, something inside him began to glow, like a lamp being lit.

He stood up. He took a deep breath. He felt taller, and taller, as tall as a hill. Tradition tells that he really did grow big, right there on the shore.

"Yes," said Hanuman. "I can do it. I will carry Rama's message to Sita."

All his friends cheered and clapped and danced on the sand. The old bear nodded and smiled. He had known it all along. Hanuman looked at his friend Jambavan and said softly, "Thank you for reminding me."

**

Sometimes we forget how much we can do. And sometimes a friend helps us remember. Who reminds you that you are strong?

**

This narration uses an AI voice. The story is retold for children from the Ramayana by the DharmikStudio team.

Keep going

• Listen: The strength he forgot
• Previous: Anjana's little one
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