The Little Ravana Inside Me
Kartik learns the meaning of Dussehra, battling the Ravana within by choosing kindness and honesty.
- Recommended age
- 6-10
- Theme
- Moral Story
- Length
- 18 story pages
Page 1
In 'The Little Ravana Inside Me,' children learn about understanding and overcoming the little negative traits within us, like selfishness and dishonesty, through the heartwarming journey of Kartik. This story teaches kindness, truthfulness, and the power of admitting mistakes, encouraging young readers to nurture positive qualities in their hearts.
Page 2
Kartik loved the festival of Dussehra. He loved the bright lights in the market, the smell of hot jalebis and the sound of drums.
Page 3
In the ground near his house stood a tall Ravana with ten big heads. Each head had a different look: angry, proud, greedy, and one that never wanted to say sorry.
Page 4
Holding his Papa's hand, Kartik asked, 'Papa, why do we burn Ravana every year?' Papa smiled and said, 'Dussehra reminds us that good can win over bad.'
Page 5
Kartik was curious. 'But Ravana lived long ago. Where is the bad now?' Papa touched Kartik's chest gently. 'Sometimes, a tiny Ravana hides here,' he explained.
Page 6
Kartik laughed. 'Inside me?' 'Yes,' said Papa. 'When we shout, when we lie, when we refuse to share, or when we think only we are right, that tiny Ravana becomes bigger.' Kartik did not say anything.
Page 7
Later, Mitu, Kartik's little sister, ran to him. 'Can I play with your red car?' she asked. 'No!' Kartik said quickly. 'It is mine.' Mitu's smile turned small. Then he remembered Papa's words. A tiny Ravana.
Page 8
He looked at Mitu's sad face, but he still did not give her the car. Later Amma gave Kartik and Mitu laddoos. Kartik got two, and Mitu got one.
Page 9
Kartik hid one laddoo behind his plate and fibbed, 'I also got only one.' Amma looked at him quietly. Kartik looked down. The laddoo behind his plate suddenly did not feel sweet anymore.
Page 10
In the evening, Mitu placed her clay diya near the door. It was colorful and beautifully painted by her. As Kartik ran by, his elbow hit it, and the diya broke.
Page 11
Mitu froze. Then her eyes filled with tears. Kartik almost said, 'It wasn't me,' but then he remembered Papa's words about the tall Ravana. Anger. Greed. Lies. Pride.
Page 12
Kartik took a deep breath. 'I broke it,' he said softly. 'I'm sorry, Mitu.' Mitu wiped her eyes. Kartik brought glue, colours, and shiny stickers. 'Can we fix it together?' he asked.
Page 13
They joined the two pieces carefully. The crack still showed, so Mitu painted golden dots along it. Kartik added one tiny sticker star. Mitu smiled and said. 'It looks even nicer now.'
Page 14
That night, the family went to the Dussehra ground. The drums grew louder. The crowd counted together. 'Three! Two! One!' Whoosh! The Ravana effigy lit up. Sparks flew into the dark sky.
Page 15
Kartik held Mitu's hand. Papa asked, 'What did you burn today?' Kartik thought for a moment. 'I burned a little bit of shouting, hiding and lying ' he said. Papa smiled. 'That is the real Dussehra.'
Page 16
The next morning, Kartik gave Mitu his red car. 'You can play first,' he said. Mitu's eyes shone bright, and she laughed, 'Really?' Kartik nodded. 'But please drive carefully. It is a very fast car.'
Page 17
Kartik laughed too. The little Ravana inside him had not gone away forever. But now Kartik knew what to do.
Page 18
Each time he chose truth, sharing, and kindness, it became a little smaller. And his heart became a little brighter. Moral: Dussehra teaches us to defeat not only Ravana outside, but also anger, lies, pride, and selfishness inside us.