The Day Yashoda Tied Krishna to the Mortar

Little Krishna’s butter mischief shows that loving patience is the strongest power.

Early one morning in Gokul, Maiya Yashoda churned creamy butter. The pot went 'dhak-dhak, dhak-dhak!' She hummed a soft tune while curious little Krishna sat nearby, eyes shining.

'Maiya, I want butter,' Krishna asked. 'Wait a bit, Kanha,' she smiled. Krishna did not like waiting. He puffed his chubby cheeks and folded his arms with a tiny frown.

He tugged her saree. When Maiya turned away, Krishna grabbed a small stone and tapped the butter pot. **CRACK!** The pot broke open!

Snow-white butter splashed everywhere. Krishna giggled, scooped a handful, and happily shared it with the cheeky courtyard monkeys.

Maiya returned. Butter covered the floor, the wall, and Krishna's sticky fingers. 'Kanha!' she gasped. 'What mischief is this?'

Krishna laughed and ran. Maiya ran after him—round the courtyard, past the gentle cows, the tulsi plant, and the monkeys who clapped and chattered.

At last Maiya caught her speedy boy. 'Such naughty tricks today,' she said, yet her eyes sparkled with love for her butter thief.

To keep him still, Maiya tried tying Krishna to a heavy wooden mortar. She wrapped a rope around his tiny waist, but the rope was too short!

She tied another rope, then another. Each time the knot stopped two fingers short. Maiya huffed but kept trying, determined to finish the task.

Her hair fell loose and sweat beaded her brow, yet she would not quit. Krishna saw her loving effort and gave a soft, understanding smile.

Suddenly the ropes reached! Maiya gently fastened Krishna to the mortar and went to work. Krishna waited a moment, eyes twinkling with fresh ideas.

He crawled away, dragging the heavy mortar. Between two tall Arjuna trees the mortar stuck fast, blocking his path.

Krishna pulled once, twice—**BOOM!** The grand trees crashed down. Two shining spirits appeared, bowed, and thanked Krishna for breaking their ancient curse.

Maiya heard the crash and hurried over. She saw the fallen trees, the mortar, and her smiling boy, though she could not guess the magic that happened.

She lifted Krishna and hugged him tight. To the world he was divine, but to Maiya he was still her playful, precious Kanha.

Moral: Patient love can do what force cannot. Kind hearts are stronger than ropes!