The semester was half over, and the four brothers knew their new friend and teacher assistant, Mr. Mahajan, would soon be leaving, and travelling back to his homeland in India.  The boys had come to love Mr. Mahajan and the wonderful stories he shared.  They were saddened by the thought of his leaving.

 

 "Alex, does he really have to go?" asked Andy.

 

"I'm afraid so, Andy.  He’s just here for this one year to work as an assistant with Mrs. Davis.  It’s some kind of exchange program.  He comes here for a year and one of our teachers goes there for a year.  So he has to go back and finish his education.  Then he can be a teacher like Mrs. Davis."

 

"Do you think he’ll tell us any more stories before he leaves?" asked Trey.

 

"I’m sure he will,” said Alex. 

 

“Yes!” said Trey as he pumped his fist in the air.

 

Together, the boys laughed at Trey’s exuberance.  But it was something they all felt.

 

When the boys got to school, the play ground was filled with all sorts of amazing animals and activities. They had been so consumed with thoughts of another story from Mr. Mahajan that they had completely forgotten the circus was to be at their school today.

 

"WOW!” said Trey.  “I wonder if they have any monkeys.  I love monkeys.”

“We know, Trey.  We know,” said Alex.  “But let’s go check in with Mrs. Davis first, so that she knows we’re here.

 

After the boys had reported in, they were freed to see the exciting exhibits and offerings.  For Trey’s sake, they went immediately in search of the monkeys.

 

It wasn't long before they came upon a huge cage full of the playful creatures.  They were swinging from limb to limb, chattering in playful antics, and chasing one another from one device to another.  It was pure entertainment.  They were so lively—so quick—and just plain fun to watch.

 

"Monkey games.  This is so cool!" said Trey.

 

“Yeah.  And I think that one hanging by his tail looks a lot like you, Trey,” Ty joked.

 

“Oh, it’s Trey alright,” added Alex.

 

"Oh yeah?  Well at least I’m talented,” Trey retorted.  “I want to see you do that.”  Suddenly distracted, “Look!  Here comes Mr. Mahajan."

 

The teacher assistant had already seen the boys and was indeed headed their way.  "Hi guys,” he said.  “I see you found our distant cousins.  Having a good time?"

 

"Yeah!  They’re amazing.  And that one hanging by his tail is Trey,” Andy added for Mr. Mahajan’s benefit. 

 

"Well, Trey always was the gifted one,” the teacher asserted.

 

“See.  I told you guys,” said Trey.  And they all joined in the laughter.

 

“Boys,” said Mr. Mahajan, “in my homeland, we have a beautiful story about how monkeys came to be.  Would you like to hear it?"

 

In enthusiastic unison, the boys said, "YES!  Tell us—please!"

 

"Okay.  Long ago, the gods left their celestial homes at will and traveled back and forth to earth.  They’d descend, visit the Brahmins (or holy men), or just find some private place to sit and think.   Lord Brahma had his own favorite spot—a beautiful mountain made of gold called Mount Meru."

 

"Mount Meru?  Where is that?  Can we find it on a map?"  Ty asked inquisitively.

 

“Well, Ty, it’s said that Mount Meru is at the center of the earth where the sun travels around you.  I don’t think we will find it on any map.  It’s more of a magical place."

 

"Ooh.  That sounds cool."  Trey closed his eyes and tried to imagine this magical site.  "I can almost picture it,” he said.  “Come on, guys.  Close your eyes.  You can see it too."

 

Lured already by the magic of the previous stories, the others followed suit.  They closed their eyes.  Then Trey continued:  "Look!  The ground is beautiful; even the grass is gold."

 

Ty and Andy began immediately to ooh and awe as in their own imagination.  They pictured the magnificent, majestic, and beautiful Mount Meru.  But Alex was confused.   "Mr. Mahajan,” he said, “I thought this was a story about monkeys, not a mountain."

 

"Yes, Alex, it is.  Just be patient."  Suddenly the ground shook.  With heightened anticipation, Alex, Ty, Trey and Andy kept their eyes closed, waiting for the wonder of what might be in store.  Even Alex was lost in the richness of the vision.

 

"Open your eyes,” Mr. Mahajan instructed.

 

As the boys complied, they were confronted with the most beautiful place they had ever seen.  They were standing on a hillside of gold.  The sky was a burnt gold, and the air was crisp and refreshing.

 

"Is this Mount Meru?" asked Andy.

 

"Yes, but be very still and quiet, for Lord Brahma is coming to the mountain," warned the teacher.

 

The boys watched in amazement as the brightest light they had ever seen ascended to the mountain and took the shape of a man.  Lord Brahma walked around in silence until he came to a shady spot beneath a large golden tree.  There he sat and began to meditate.

 

"What's he doing?" asked Ty.

 

But before the teacher could answer, a large tear formed in the corner of Brahma's eye and slowly fell to the ground.  The boys watched in amazement as that small teardrop began to grow and take the shape of a monkey.  Then Lord Brahma opened his eyes and that newly birthed form burst into life.

 

"WOW!” Trey gasped.  Then just as suddenly as they had been transported to Mount Meru, they were back at school and in front of the monkey cage. 

"That was awesome!" exclaimed Trey.  The others agreed.  Mr. Mahajan smiled, turned, and walked away.  It had been another wondrous, magical moment.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: