Krishna and the Peacock

Dadi: "Guddu beta, do you know why Lord Krishna always wears a peacock feather in his crown?"

Guddu: "I've always wondered about that! Peacock feathers are pretty, but is there a story?"

Dadi: "A beautiful one! It happened one summer morning in the forests near Govardhan Hill. Little Krishna was resting with his cowherd friends when he decided to wake everyone up."

Guddu: "How did he wake them?"

Dadi: "He pulled out his flute and began to play! But this wasn't ordinary music, beta. The nectar from Krishna's lips created a melody so sweet that it enchanted every living thing around."

Guddu: "Even the peacocks?"

Dadi: "Especially the peacocks! When they heard the divine music, their hearts began to sing. They started dancing and calling out in joy. The whole hillside came alive with peacock songs!"

Guddu: "Did Krishna watch them dance?"

Dadi: "He did more than watch! When the king of peacocks approached Krishna and touched his feet, Krishna understood what the bird wanted - he wanted Krishna to dance WITH them!"

Guddu: "Krishna danced with peacocks?"

Dadi: "For hours and hours! Krishna and the peacocks moved in perfect rhythm together. His footwork matched their steps, his grace matched their fans. Some peacocks were so overwhelmed by the beauty that they fainted from pure joy!"

Guddu: "They fainted? That must have been some dance!"

Dadi: "When the peacocks finally grew tired and stopped, Krishna was still dancing! He had entered such a blissful state that the whole world disappeared. He just kept dancing for days!"

Guddu: "Days?!"

Dadi: "That's divine joy, beta. When you truly connect with happiness, time disappears. Finally, when Krishna stopped, there was a beautiful silence across the forest."

Guddu: "Then what happened?"

Dadi: "The king of peacocks approached Krishna humbly. He said, "Lord, you have created a festival of bliss for us. We are forever grateful. But we have nothing to offer you except our feathers. Please accept them as our gift - wear them on your crown as a decoration.""

Guddu: "The peacock gave up his own feathers?"

Dadi: "With tears of happiness, the peacock king dropped some beautiful plumes at Krishna's feet. It was all he had to give - his only opulence, his only beauty."

Guddu: "That's such a pure gift!"

Dadi: "And Krishna, who is moved by sincere devotion more than anything else, accepted it with deep feeling. Since that day, he has always worn a peacock feather in his crown."

Guddu: "So the feather is like a thank-you gift that Krishna keeps wearing forever!"

Dadi: "Yes! And it teaches us something important. The peacock didn't offer gold or jewels - he offered what he had. Krishna didn't need the feather - but he treasured the love behind it."

Guddu: "So it's not about how expensive the gift is?"

Dadi: "Not at all! The Bhagavad Gita says Krishna accepts even a leaf, a flower, or water if offered with devotion. The peacock's feathers, given with complete love, became more precious to Krishna than any diamond."

Guddu: "I want to give gifts like that - with my whole heart!"

Dadi: "Then your gifts will always be accepted, beta. Whether it's helping your parents, sharing with friends, or offering prayers - let your heart be in it completely. That's the peacock's teaching."

Guddu: "And that's why the feather is so famous!"

Dadi: "Every picture of Krishna, every statue, every story - that peacock feather reminds us of a bird who gave everything he had, and a God who valued the giving more than the gift."

Guddu: "Goodnight, Dadi. I'll dream about dancing peacocks!"

Dadi: "May your dreams be filled with such joy! Sweet dreams, beta."