Adventures of Raghu - Dada

One more week of exams were left. Raghu had not even opened some of his textbooks during the school term this time. His mother was therefore adamant that he sit in his room and study.

 “Plants breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. While we humans breathe in this oxygen, and breathe out carbon dioxide which is then used by the plants.” Read aloud Raghu as he studied for his Science exam the next day.

"Wow! That is so fascinating!" thought Raghu as he looked outside his room window.

The windows were open and a slight breeze was blowing over Raghu’s face. The birds in the garden were chirping and he could hear some of the grasshoppers making their own distinct sounds. Winter was almost over and spring was here, it was the time of year Raghu loved most! Trees that had been lifeless for the winter, were suddenly sprouting with new green buds, the colours in all of nature was coming back alive. How Raghu longed to go back and be outside.

Raghu got up from his study chair and went towards the window to breathe in the fresh air. As he stood there his eyes fell on the huge banyan tree in his house garden. It was an old, beautiful banyan tree.

It was older than Raghu and Raghu had reason to believe that it was as old as the universe itself! It’s long branches hung such that they almost touched the ground and its huge roots had spread all over the garden. Its trunk was big and sturdy, and it held in it the wisdom of many ages past. That is why the family had even named it – ‘Dada’, literally meaning Grandfather. He protected everyone in the house and was wise like an old grandfather. When Raghu was very young, his mother would tell him stories at night and then point towards the big banyan tree outside his window and tell him “Dada is watching over you as you sleep.” It gave Raghu a warm feeling in his heart, he felt protected and loved. No one could harm him when Dada was there.

Raghu thought back to what he had just read in his book as he looked at the banyan tree- “What you exhale, we inhale. And what we inhale, you exhale. What a close relationship we share Dada.”  He had felt close to Dada on many occasions, but today he realized that his connection was much closer than he had ever realized.

Raghu felt a sudden urge to go outside and hug Dada. He ran to the front door of the house and straight into the garden to Dada! He hugged Dada till as far as his short arms could reach!

Raghu closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. He felt the oxygen reach every cell of his body and felt grateful for the life breath that he had received from Dada. He then deeply exhaled all the breath within him as though offering his own breath to the old banyan tree. “We will always be connected through the thread of our breaths Dada” whispered Raghu as he gave a tight hug to Dada and smiled.

Adventures of Raghu - the challenge (part 2)

Continued from last time (scroll below for Part 1)

Raghu looked into a hole in his room wall. “All I see in the hole is darkness Rasiya, nothing else.” Rasiya pondered – “The riddle also says people are scared of it and it makes children cry. ” Raghu thought for a moment then cried out “Rasiya, the answer is DARKNESS! It can neither be seen nor heard and can also be found in a mountain cave!” Raghu quickly looked at his watch and started to run towards the door. “So according to the clue I have to meet the chiefs minister at Tiger Hill as soon as it gets dark! Rasiya, I'm leaving. It's 4pm already, it’ll be dark soon." As Raghu started cycling away he shouted back out - "Rasiya, don't come behind me. This is my challenge and i'll face it on my own!"

Tiger Hill was at the southern end of the forest. It was a denser part of the forest with several varieties of trees and birds in the area. A river flowed at the base of the hill where animals came to drink water regularly. 

Raghu parked his bike close to a rock near the river and stood there waiting for the minister. However, minutes turned into hours, dusk turned into the darkness of night time, but no one turned up.

Raghu wasn't sure whether to wait or go back home, but finally decided that he would wait for the minister even if it meant spending the whole night here.

The sky was twinkling with a million stars and the moon was standing in the sky as bright as it could be. However, it was starting to get chillier by the minute. Raghu decided it was time to make himself comfortable out here in the forest. He used his torch, that was always in his bag for emergencies and started looking on the ground for twigs and dried leaves that he could use to create a tinder nest to set up a fire. He then started gathering bigger pieces of wood, which he lay together on the ground, a little distance from a tree. An hour later, he was ready to start a fire. He made a hole in a branch, in which he inserted a stem and started vigorously rubbing to create a spark. After a few minutes of continuous rubbing, smoke started coming out of the hole and the tinder nest next to it caught fire.

He dropped the tinder nest into the pile of logs, and within a few minutes had a beautiful fire blazing in front of him. Raghu had learnt to make a fire at school and was happy that he could use this skill today!

Raghu sat near the fire and rubbed his hands together, enjoying the warmth.

His stomach rumbled. It was dinner time and he was really hungry. As he sat thinking of food, he looked up to see a rugged looking man walking towards him. With his muddy face and ragged clothes, yet strong built body, he seemed like he lived in the forest. The man didn't speak at all, but quickly opened a small sack he was carrying and took out two raw fishes from it. Raghu smiled. It was just what he needed right now! The man put a stick through each of the fishes and began to fry it on the fire. Thirty minutes later he took it off the fire, minced one of the fishes into pieces and handed it to Raghu on a leaf. Raghu hungrily fed on the fish. They were a bit bland but were soft and delicious. He really couldn't ask for more.

After eating, the man quickly got up and began to search for twigs, dried leaves and branches. Raghu joined him and they worked together to put up a small shelter for the night.

It was nearing 10pm. Raghu was tired after the whole day and quickly fell asleep in the small shelter the man and him had created. The man sat near the fire, watching Raghu fall off to sleep.

In the morning, Raghu found a note laying near him. It read -

"You have passed the second test of survival in the outdoors."

Raghu started laughing with joy. "Oh my god, that rugged looking man was the minister!!!" he shouted looking up to the sky. He picked up his bike and began cycling back home as he hummed a tune!

Adventures of Raghu - the challenge

Raghu had always been an avid lover of the outdoors. Life for Raghu was an adventure. Having been brought up in a little town adjoining a forest, Raghu was always out on the prowl. His mother could hardly keep up with him and his notorious ways. 12 years old now, while other kids were busy playing video games, reading books or playing in the playground, Raghu would pick up his bike and be on his way into the forest to explore the wilderness, climb trees, make wild friends and dwell deeper into the secrets of the outdoors.

Today morning, Rasiya, a spectacled cobra and Raghu’s dearest companion came rushing in through the hole in Raghu’s room wall. Raghu had made this secret hole in his room wall an year ago. It connected to the garden outside, through which Rasiya could easily slither in. It was a well- kept secret which only Raghu and Rasiya knew. “They’ve given out the first clue Raghu! Here is the leaf they have written it on!” squealed Rasiya as he gasped for breath. “Really! “ cried out an excited Raghu as he jumped to grab the leaf from Rasiya’s mouth.

It had been a month since Raghu was biking home one evening and had suddenly noticed a man with long hair and a big beard, streaks across his face, swinging across tree branches. “Was it really possible? Was there really a Tarzan?” was the first thought that had crossed Raghu’s mind! He had quickly parked his bike and run towards the voices he heard. They were wild calls, hooting sounds and noises of clapping. There he had seen a large group of human looking people with strange marks on their faces. He had later discovered that they were the Arsea tribe members. He had kept a close watch on them ever since and been absolutely fascinated by their physical abilities.

They could swing from tree to tree, jump in ways no humans could, climb trees like large lizards, make strange yet wondrous sounds and roam freely in the forest like any other animal. Their major food was also only honey!

Raghu had so badly wanted to be a part of the tribe and learn their ways since then. He had tried to meet the chief of the tribe to become a part, but the chiefs men would not let him get past them. They detested people from town and spoke rather harshly with Raghu. It was Rasiya who had then intervened and spoken to them of how Raghu had helped many animals and beings in the forest. This had opened them up to giving Raghu a fair chance. They had challenged Raghu to three tests. If he passed, they promised they would let him meet the chief.

Today they had sent a message on a leaf to Raghu through Rasiya. It carried in it a riddle -

“They’re scared of me but I don’t know why

I’ve made so many children cry!

I cannot be seen, I cannot be heard

But you can find me in a hole or mountain cave. Now isn’t that absurd?”

Below it was another line in bigger letters -

Come meet me, the chief's minister, at the answer near Tiger hill.

Adventures of Raghu - the world of clouds (Part 3)

Continued from Part 2 (scroll below to read).....

As Jeeva looked up, there in front of him, the dove that Nadia had sent with Hirsek, started dispersing and a huge magnificent heart appeared in the sky. One of the most splendid hearts he had ever seen. It was almost as though the heart carried in it a life of it's own.

Hirsek had come closer now and watched as Jeeva's half dead eyes, suddenly gained a new sparkle. Suddenly as though from nowhere, a soft, gentle voice came from the heart up above in the sky -

“Here is the deepest secret nobody knows, here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide, and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart, I carry your heart with me, I carry it in my heart.” (*)

As though awakening from a slumber, Jeeva suddenly started to blossom into his original beautiful self.

Hirsek could not help tears flowing from his eyes as he watched his dear Jeevavriksha coming back to his original glory, the glory of the days long gone. It was the secret to eternity that Nadia had spoken of, it was the secret that kept hearts eternally young.

Raghu rubbed his eyes as a smile dawned on his face. He watched the beautiful Jeevavriksha standing tall in the sky. Jeeva would always be there for anyone who looked up to him in the sky for eternity and beyond. "Isn't that simply beautiful" Raghu called out to Rasiya, his dear snake pal who was lazing near Raghu's feet. "Hmm..." mumbled back Rasiya. "Oh Rasiya, you're too busy sleeping when the sky is telling me such marvelous stories!" It was almost dusk and Rasiya slowly got up and pushed Raghu with his wobbly body - "Raghu you better get back home, don't you have a Math test tomorrow?" "Good old, practical Rasiya! What would I do without you?" laughed Raghu as he started to get up and move towards his bike that he had laid at the side.

It surely was time to get back home after a whole exciting day of cloud watching!

(*) taken from e.e. cummings poem I carry your heart with me


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Adventures of Raghu - the world of clouds (Part 2)

Continued from last time (scroll down below for Part 1 of story).......

So Hirsek went in search of Ayash and Dhaani to the land of the mystical lake. As he entered this land he saw creatures he had never seen before. Some were half human and half animal and yet others were of odd shapes and sizes. They were all however very happy, laughing and smiling. Ayash and Dhaani ruled this land and they were known for the love and care they showered on all the creatures they ruled over.


As Hirsek looked into the distance there he saw the heavenly mystical lake with mist covered over the entire lake giving it an eerie yet mystical feel. Ayash and Dhaani were standing above the lake talking to some of the mermaids in the lake. Hirsek started moving towards them. They smiled as soon as they noticed Hirsek approaching. 

As Hirsek reached towards them and was about to speak, Ayash and Dhaani warmly said to him - “Give us a few moments, we know why you are here.” They then began speaking rapidly with intermittent soft sounds that Hirsek could not understand. Ayash was swirling in circles, creating a kind of small tornado with the air, while Dhaani, in the centre of this tornado was rapidly changing form. All of a sudden a drop of water flew out of Dhaani’s body and slowly started taking shape. Within a few moments, as Hirsek looked up he could not believe what he saw. The drop had turned into Nadia - glorious, beautiful Nadia, standing there with a smile only unique to her.

She was beyond space and time, she existed and yet didn’t exist, that is why no one could ever find her Hirsek realized. Nadia immediately embraced Hirsek. “Tell me what I can do for you Hirsek. How is Jeevavriksha?”

“Jeevavriskha is dying Nadia. He wanted me to find you and convey to you that his heart has failed you and he is dieing.” Nadia smiled gently. “His heart can never fail me dear Hirsek, as mine can never fail his. I will give you a secret which is the elixir of life. He cannot die. It is this secret that keeps even the weakest hearts beating until eternity.The heart I gave him will beat until eternity and beyond.” Hirsek hesitated and asked with a tear in his eye - “But then why is Jeeva dying?” Nadia looked at Hirsek and spoke softly as she magically created a dove from the clouds and told Hirsek to take this dove back to Jeeva.

"This magical dove carries a secret that will be revealed the moment Jeeva sets eyes on her. Take this dove back with you Hirsek and show her to Jeeva. He will recover as soon as he sees the secret.” said Nadia to Hirsek. Hirsek thanked her profusely and holding the dove tight to his chest, he swiftly ran back to Jeeva as fast as his legs could take him. Jeeva was withered, frail and dieing by the time Hirsek reached back.


As soon as Hirsek saw Jeeva from far, Hirsek began to call out to him – “Jeeva, look what I have brought back to you!” Jeeva was tired, his head was drooping and eyes were closed. He did not have energy left in his body to even speak or stay awake anymore. Jeeva slowly opened his eyes as he recognized Hirsek's voice calling him. As Jeeva lifted his head with great difficulty, he could not believe what he saw infront of him......

What is the secret the magical dove holds? What does Jeeva see when he lifts his head? Tell us what you think..............

Adventures of Raghu - the world of clouds (Part 1)

“You had to pay attention. You had to pay attention to the clouds and the sky and it would reveal to you a secret, a story of the beyond.”

As Raghu laid there on the grass looking up at the sky he remembered this ancient secret. He began seeing the forms, the shapes the clouds were taking. He slowly sank into another world. The secret door to the beyond was opening up.

There it was, today after many years, the tree of life, Jeevavriksha, also known as Jeeva had appeared in the sky. Hirsek, his beloved companion and the strongest horse ever there was, was standing near him.

 It was a beautiful sunny day and they were enjoying each others company. Hirsek had lost his parents when he was very young and grew up under Jeeva’s care. He adored Jeeva and lived his life for him in every way.

Jeeva had lived his life serving others. His wisdom was widely sought by many – gods, goddesses and men and women on earth, all came to him. A long time back the goddess of clouds, Nadia had been in big trouble with the God of Winds, Vayu. 

The time Vayu had wanted to overtake the world

Vayu was keen to overtake the world with his powers and wanted to kill Nadia. At that time Nadia had sought Jeeva’s help. Jeeva had sent her on Hirsek’s back to meet Sebastian, the god of space. Sebastian who had earlier supported Vayu in whatever he did, decided to withdraw his support. Without Sebastian’s support, Vayu became weak and listless.  Nadia and Sebastian soon fell in love and betrothed. Nadia had since been ever grateful to Jeeva. To ensure that Jeeva could help people till eternity, Nadia had offered Jeeva the most beautiful and pure heart this world and the heavens had ever seen. This heart would keep Jeeva young and alive forever.

Today however it was visible, something was wrong with Jeevavriksha. He was drooping and was almost whispering into Hirsek’s ears.

A drooping Jeevavriksha

“Hirsek my heart is withering, I’m dieing” he said. “I am not able to help people the way I used to. I need to let Nadia know that my heart has failed her. Will you go dear Hirsek? It will not be easy to find her since no one knows where she lives.” For Hirsek, his life was Jeeva and he was ready to risk anything for him, but was absolutely bewildered on where to go. “Then which way should I go to find her Jeeva? “ To which Jeeva replied in his characteristic wise manner – “Go in whichever direction the wind guides you.” And so Hirsek began his journey.

The scene in the sky slowly changed. At first trees and forests were visible, then the sea, then mountains started to appear.

The journey Hirsek takes through mountains, forests and over seas

 Hirsek asked the mountains if they knew where Nadia lived. To answer him, the mountains began to move apart and out flew a beautiful white dove. Hirsek looked in awe at the dove and asked him if he knew where Nadia lived.

The white dove told Hirsek to go to the sun god, Surya, as he knew the whereabouts of the wind goddess. Hirsek knew that the only way to go to Surya was though the hole of heaven, so he went in search of that.









Finally, a beautiful wide opening appeared among the clouds. 

Hirsek quickly entered the passage to meet Surya. Surya told Hirsek that only the god of Air, Ayash and goddess of water, Dhaani, knew of Nadias whereabouts. “No one else can ever find her.” Surya told Hirsek.

So Hirsek went in search of Ayash and Dhaani to the land of the mystical lake where they both lived.

Does Hirsek find Nadia? Is he able to save Jeevavriksha's life? Read next week for more..... 

Outdoor activities with kids - Day sky watching activity

Sky Watching: When was the last time you saw a cloud that really looked like something?  If it has been a while, it is time to do some sky watching.  The great thing about the sky is that it is always changing - sometimes it's colours, sometimes the shapes of the clouds!  On a warm winter day, lie down in the grass or on your house terrace and watch clouds go by. Look for interesting shapes, animals, people, objects. Use these to create a story of your own.

You could write it down and draw the cloud shapes on the side. A great way to enjoy a winter day!
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