Storybook I.
I
wanted to focus mainly on the morals of the characters so I did not go
into as much detail as the book does with Sita's kidnapping. This is
mainly a new story created to show Sita's struggles with
temptation and the values that the little girl, Atmaja, helps Sita
realize once again.
Sita's
Victory....
My grandmother, Vihba, tucked me in as she always does when she comes
to
visit. What a loving grandmother she was, always doing her best to help
raise me and teaching me all I need to know about life and the way
things worked. Every night she would tell me a bedtime story and it
would always have some kind of moral value that helped
to enlightened me.
"Now lie down, my darling Atmaja....I will share with you a story that
my
grandmother once told me"
I lay down...and although I could never seem to stay awake for the
entire story, her words pierced through my mind and into my
dreams every time.
She began reminding me of what it means to be an honorable wife and
woman when I grow up...."I know, I know, grandma Vibha! Always stay
respectable and moral. Right?"
"Right," she said.
Grandma Vihba told me of Sita's capture by the demon god, Ravana, in
the Dandaka Forest. She mentioned all the jewels and gifts that he had
offered Sita, but Sita remained strong and did not give in to Ravana.
She knew he was evil and loved her partner Rama dearly....nothing was
going to come between them, not even death.
My eyes got heavy as she spoke with her fragile yet raspy voice.
"Sita was so afraid, not only for her life, but she was afraid she
might not see Rama again. She cried hasterically and closed her eyes
tightly as Ravana jetted angrily through the air to his home in
Lanka...and in a last attempt to be found she let loose her jewelry so
that someone may find it and be able to find her later."
The Palace
My eyes closed ever so slightly and I drifted off to sleep.........
~Dreamland~
There she was, Sita dressed in the most beautiful clothing I had
ever seen. Her hair draped over her as she wept with her head in her
hands. Her body jolted with her uncontrollable crying.
I slowly walked over to her and laid my hand on her shoulder. "Don't
cry Sita. You've done the right thing by denying Ravana of yourself. He
does not truly love you, Rama does, and I just know you two will be
together once again."
She raised her head and stared up at me. "Who are you?" she sniffled.
"I am just a premonition. My dreams have brought me to you."
I knew how I got there, but Sita may have trouble with my reasoning so
I kept it to myself.
"What if I never see my Rama again? What is going to happen? I will
waste away here in this palace."
I saw where she was going with this..Sita thought that her love may
never rescue her and she would be stuck here forever. Her heart was
still with Rama but there was a part of her that was enticed by the
sweet smell of temptation. There was so much to be had, so much that
Ravana was willing to give her. What was she going to do?
"My father told me to always stay true to the one I love, but what if
he's gone. I am left here to waste away in the back of Ravana's
palace?" muttered Sita.
"My grandmother always has wise words Sita. Always remain honorable in
every situation and good will always triumph. You must not turn to the
demon god's ways. He is a terrible being and will bring nothing but
trouble to you and all that fasted to him. One day he will fall. You
can count on that."
"You are so right! I'm sorry, but what is your name again?"
I told her, "My name is Atmaja," then I disappeared without a goodbye.
I thought I might see her again one day.
Sita gazed at the sky above her and smiled. Her desperate feelings from
before had left her and she now had a calmness about her, knowing that
everything was going to be alright even if faced with death.
A new beginning
Author's Notes:
As I said before, I wanted the little girl to help Sita with her
struggles against temptation. I did this by using the little girl,
Atmaja's dreams to channel her into Sita's life. Atmaja's grandmother
was very adamant about her thoughts on a good moral character. She
wanted her grand daughter to grow up and be an admirable wife and
woman. I thought that Sita and Atmaja could both learn from each other
if Atmaja were to encounter Sita face to face and see the difficultly
in staying on the right path when surrounded by evil. Sita was truly
battling Ravana's persuasion. This to her was difficult because she
thought she may not be rescued. What else would she have? Atmaja's
grandmother's wise words helped aid in the conflict Sita was up
against. Sita was free from temptation and once again felt a calmness
come over herself. In the end the little girl was gone in an instant. I
thought Atmaja disappearing would be appropriate since it was the
little girls dream and a only a premonition to Sita. Also, I thought
the story called for a little mysteriousness.
Cover page
Back to Introduction
References:
Buck, William (1976). Ramayana: King Rama's Way.
Narayan,
R. K. (1972) The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the
Indian Epic.
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