Ganesha Walks Around His Parents

Long ago, on the snowy mountain of Kailash, there lived a happy family. Shiva and Parvati lived there with their two children, Ganesha and Kartikeya.

One bright morning, Parvati smiled at the two of them. "I have a special gift," she said. "It is for the one who goes around the whole world first."

Kartikeya clapped his hands. "I will go!" he laughed. He jumped onto his peacock. Whoosh! Away they flew, over hills and rivers and forests. The cool wind sang in his ears. Kartikeya was very happy.

Ganesha looked at his little mouse. The mouse looked at Ganesha. The world was very, very big. And the mouse was very, very small.

So Ganesha sat down and thought. He looked at his mother's soft smile. He looked at his father's kind eyes. Then he stood up with a happy heart.

He folded his hands. He began to walk around Shiva and Parvati. Slowly, gently, step by step.

Around them he went, with love in every step. His little mouse walked beside him. The mountain was quiet. Only a soft breeze moved the snow. Slowly, gently, step by step.

When he was done, Ganesha bowed to them. "I have gone around the whole world," he said.

Parvati was surprised. "How, Ganesha?"

Ganesha smiled. "You are my whole world. Everything I love is right here."

Shiva laughed a deep, happy laugh. Parvati's eyes shone with joy. They gave Ganesha the special gift.

Just then, whoosh! Kartikeya flew back home. His cheeks were pink from the wind. "I went around the whole world!" he said. Then he heard what Ganesha had done. Kartikeya smiled. "Ganesha, that was very wise!"

Parvati opened her arms wide. Shiva opened his arms wide too. Ganesha and Kartikeya ran into them. It was one big, warm family hug.

The mountain breeze blew softly around them. The sky was clear and blue. Slowly, gently, step by step, all was calm.