The Jackal and the Drum

Dadi: "Guddu, come sit here beta. Tonight I'll tell you about a very clever jackal named Gomaya."

Guddu: "A jackal, Dadi? But aren't jackals supposed to be sneaky?"

Dadi: "Ha! That's what people think. But this jackal was actually very brave. One day, Gomaya was wandering through the jungle, his tummy rumbling with hunger. He searched and searched but couldn't find any food anywhere."

Guddu: "Poor jackal! Did he give up?"

Dadi: "No beta, he kept walking until he reached a strange place - an old battlefield where armies had once fought. Now it was completely deserted, with nothing but silence and dust."

Guddu: "A battlefield? That sounds scary, Dadi!"

Dadi: "It was! And then suddenly - DHOOM! DHOOM! A terrible booming sound echoed across the field. Gomaya's fur stood on end. His heart started beating so fast!"

Guddu: "*clutching Dadi's hand* What was making that sound?"

Dadi: "That's exactly what Gomaya wondered. His first thought was to run away as fast as his legs could carry him. But then he stopped and thought - "Wait. I don't even know what's making this noise. How foolish would I be to run from something I haven't even seen?""

Guddu: "That's actually very smart thinking!"

Dadi: "Very smart indeed. So instead of running, Gomaya crept forward slowly, carefully, step by step. His legs were shaking, but he kept going. And you know what he found?"

Guddu: "What, what?"

Dadi: "It was just an old war drum lying near a tree! The wind was blowing the branches, and they were rubbing against the drum, making that scary DHOOM DHOOM sound!"

Guddu: "*laughing* Just a drum? All that fear for a drum?"

Dadi: "Yes, beta! And here's the best part - right next to that drum, Gomaya found plenty of food and fresh water. If he had run away, he would have stayed hungry. But because he was brave enough to face his fear, he found exactly what he needed."

Guddu: "So being brave helped him get food!"

Dadi: "Exactly, my smart boy. You know, this happens in life too. Sometimes we're scared to try new things - maybe the first day at a new school, or learning to ride a bicycle, or speaking in front of others. Our fear makes big DHOOM DHOOM sounds in our heads."

Guddu: "Like when I was scared to swim in the deep end?"

Dadi: "*smiling warmly* Exactly like that. But just like Gomaya, when you gathered your courage and tried, you found out it wasn't so scary after all. And now look at you - swimming like a little fish!"

Guddu: "*proudly* I can even dive now!"

Dadi: "Because you were brave, beta. Remember - fear is often just wind making noise against an empty drum. The brave ones who investigate find rewards waiting on the other side. The ones who run away stay hungry forever."

Guddu: "Dadi, next time I feel scared, I'll think of Gomaya the jackal!"

Dadi: "That's my brave boy. Now, shall we have some warm milk before bed? Tomorrow I'll tell you another story about what happens when we think before we act."

Guddu: "Yes please, Dadi! I love your stories!"

Dadi: "And I love telling them to you, mera bachcha. Sweet dreams await the brave - remember that always."