Story for Children - Gary's Temple Visit -Part II

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The old man knew that Gary enjoyed going to the temple.

“Gary, do you want to go to the temple?” he asked.

“I want to go to the temple and pray for your good health”, replied Gary.

“Can you go alone?” asked the old man.

“I’ll go and pray for you and come back with prasadam for you. I’m sure God will heal you soon,” replied Gary.

“Okay, Gary. You go and come back soon.”

Gary was very happy that the old man had permitted him to go. He left the place immediately. But to his surprise, the poojari refused to give him the prasadam since the old man was not present. Disappointed, Gary stood there for some time, but the poojari didn’t take any notice of him.

Gary didn’t want to go back empty handed, which he knew would upset his master who was waiting in the bed for the prasadam. Suddenly an idea struck him. He decided to enter the temple and ask for some prasadam for his master’s sake. As the poojari left the payasam inside and closed the door Gary also followed him without being seen. Within a short time, Gary left the temple with little payasam in a plantain leaf.

As he was already late Gary was running with the payasam. On his way he saw a fox. His name was Brown. “What’re you taking and running, Gary? You better give it to me and go. Otherwise I’ll kill you,” screamed the fox. Gary knew that it was wise to stop there and give him some payasam. Otherwise he was sure to be killed. He was not worried about his death, but he was worried about his master.

“Please don’t kill me, Brown. I’ll give you a share of the prasadam I’m taking for my master who is sick and lying at home,” Gary pleaded.

“Okay. Give it to me soon”, ordered Brown.

Gary slowly opened the banana leaf and gave him a portion of the prasadam. Brown tasted it and felt very happy.

“Oh, fantastic, my friend. Where did you get such tasty payasam? I’ve never tasted such a thing in all my life. It’s so tempting. I want some more”, said Brown.

“I got it from the temple. I’m sorry my dear friend. If you want more you come along with me tomorrow. I’ll get you some,” said Gary wisely.

“Why can’t we go now itself and take more? I can’t wait till tomorrow.” Brown became impatient.

“No, Brown. You can’t get it today. The poojari has already taken it and gone. Tomorrow you can have it before he takes it away.” Suddenly an idea struck him.

“Okay…. Promise? I hope you won’t cheat me. I’ll wait for you here tomorrow morning”. Brown said.

“It’s my promise. Tomorrow morning I’ll take you with me,” said Gary with his heart beating fast.

Brown went back to join his wife happily and told her about his meeting with Gary and the lucky day ahead of him.

Gary went home and gave the left over prasadam to his master.

(To be continued in Part III)

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