Hanuman Remembers His Strength

Long ago, monkeys and bears reached the edge of a great sea. They had walked a very long way. They were searching for Sita Mata, and Ram ji was waiting for news of her.

The waves rolled in, one after another. Whoosh... whoosh... The sea was wide and blue. Far across it lay the island of Lanka.

"Who can jump across this big sea?" the monkeys asked.

One said, "I can jump a little way." Another said, "I can jump a bit farther." But no one could jump all the way across.

Hanuman sat quietly on a rock. He watched the waves. He did not say a word. Somehow, he had forgotten how strong he was.

Then Jambavan, the wise old bear, came and sat beside him. His voice was deep and kind, like a warm blanket.

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

Hanuman looked up at him.

"You are the child of the Wind," said Jambavan. "When you were very small, you saw the rising sun. You thought it was a ripe red fruit. And you leapt up into the sky to reach it!"

Hanuman's eyes began to shine.

"Your heart is full of love for Ram ji," said Jambavan. "Your mind is wise. You are strong and swift, like the wind itself. Remember who you are, Hanuman."

Hanuman closed his eyes. He breathed in the salty sea air. And slowly, he remembered. He remembered the wind in his hair. He remembered the wide, open sky. He remembered the love in his heart.

"Remember who you are, Hanuman," Jambavan said again, softly.

Hanuman stood up. And he began to grow. Taller... and taller... and taller! He grew as tall as a mountain. The monkeys looked up in wonder. "Jai Shri Ram!" they cheered.

Hanuman climbed a big hill by the shore. He folded his hands and thought of Ram ji. He bent his knees. Then... WHOOSH! He leapt into the sky.

He flew over the blue waves, like a great golden bird. The wind carried him gently. The sun warmed his back. Below him, the sea sparkled and danced.

At last, he saw the green shore of Lanka. Down, down, down he came. He landed softly on a grassy hill. Thump! Safe and sound.

Hanuman smiled and looked back across the sea. He knew his friends on the other shore were cheering. And he knew old Jambavan was smiling too.

Hanuman took a deep, happy breath. He whispered to himself, "I remember who I am."