We would like to provide an opportunity to all pathshala teachers to engage their students and come up with an ending for the following story - based on the lessons of the recently celebrated Paryushan Parva, or based on Jain principles. We will print the top 3 entries in the next issue..

STORY:

Once upon a time on the bank of river Saraswati lived a monkey named Mithu. Mithu’s home was in the grove of mango trees. All day he jumped from one mango tree to the next and sang songs. He was the chief of all the monkeys who lived in that mango grove.

One day Mithu was sitting on the mango tree and relaxing after eating many delicious mangoes for lunch. As he was dozing off to the sound of the water, he heard someone call his name. It was Alex the Alligator. Alex was the king of all the alligators in the river Saraswati. Today King Alex was on a mission to satisfy his pregnant wife’s craving of mangoes. But there was one problem; Alex couldn’t climb trees to pick mangoes. As he explained Mithu his problem, Mithu being kind hearted, immediately offered his help in picking the ripest mangoes to give them to King Alex. He picked them carefully, making sure that they were ripe and ready to eat. After picking the mangoes he went to the ground and put the mangoes in the mouth of King Alex, so King Alex could take the mangoes to his wife. King Alex thanked him and graciously moved into the river.

The next day King Alex returned to the shore again and asked if Mithu could pick some more mangoes for his wife. Mithu was glad to help. Again, he picked the ripest mangoes and put them gently in King Alex’s mouth. Since then, everyday King Alex would return to the shore and Mithu would pick the best mangoes and put them in the mouth of King Alex. King Alex and Mithu became good friends.

One day, as King Alex was leaving to get the mangoes, his wife stopped him. She demanded that King Alex bring Mithu for her. She desired to eat the heart of a monkey who only ate sweet, delicious mangoes. She wanted to taste Mithu’s sweet heart. King Alex was puzzled. He tried to explain to his wife that Mithu and he have become friends and he could not possibly do such a horrible thing. But his wife was determined. Finally, King Alex agreed and went to the shore to bring Mithu.

So what was King Alex to do? On one side was his wife, his life long partner that he had vowed to take care of and make her happy. On the other hand was his dear fried Mithu, who had been there to help, in every way he could.

Dear Children, what do you think? Write an ending to this story – in 200 words or less in the link provided below. We will publish the top 3 entries in the next issue, and include the names of all the Pathshala classes. Please include your affiliated Jain Center, the teacher’s name and the grade level of the Pathshala class.