Vamana and Bali - The Three Steps That Covered Everything

Dadi: "Guddu, do you know the story of Vali and Sugriva - the monkey brothers from Ramayana?"

Guddu: "Sugriva was Ram's friend, right?"

Dadi: "Yes! But before that, Sugriva and his brother Vali had a terrible falling out. Let me tell you how it happened."

Guddu: "Were they always enemies?"

Dadi: "Not at all! Vali was the monkey king, strong and powerful. Sugriva was his younger brother and trusted companion. But then a demon named Mayavi challenged Vali to a duel."

Guddu: "Did Vali accept?"

Dadi: "Of course! Vali chased Mayavi into a deep cave. Before entering, he told Sugriva, "Guard this entrance. Don't let the demon escape. I'll be back soon.""

Guddu: "And then?"

Dadi: "Days passed. Weeks. Months. Almost a year! Sugriva waited faithfully outside that cave. Then, he heard terrible screams from inside, and blood began flowing out."

Guddu: "Oh no!"

Dadi: "Sugriva was certain his brother had been killed. Heartbroken, he sealed the cave entrance with a huge boulder - to trap the demon that had killed Vali - and returned home."

Guddu: "But Vali wasn't dead?"

Dadi: "No! He had actually killed the demon. But when he tried to come out, he found the cave sealed! When he finally broke free and returned to Kishkindha..."

Guddu: "...he found Sugriva as king?"

Dadi: "Exactly. Sugriva had been crowned in Vali's absence, thinking his brother was dead. When Sugriva saw Vali alive, he was overjoyed and offered to give back the throne."

Guddu: "That's nice of him!"

Dadi: "But Vali was consumed by rage. He believed Sugriva had sealed the cave deliberately to steal his kingdom! He wouldn't listen to explanations."

Guddu: "That's not fair!"

Dadi: "Vali was so angry that he attacked Sugriva. But here's the problem - Vali had a special power. In any fight, he would gain half his opponent's strength. Nobody could beat him!"

Guddu: "So Sugriva couldn't win?"

Dadi: "He barely escaped with his life. He fled to Mount Rishyamuka, a place protected by a sage's curse - Vali couldn't enter there. Sugriva lived in exile, and Vali even took Sugriva's wife."

Guddu: "That's terrible!"

Dadi: "Years later, when Ram was searching for Sita, Hanuman brought him to meet Sugriva. They made an alliance - Ram would help Sugriva regain his throne, and Sugriva would help find Sita."

Guddu: "How did Ram defeat Vali's power?"

Dadi: "That's controversial. Ram hid behind a tree while Sugriva challenged Vali. When they fought, Ram shot an arrow that killed Vali."

Guddu: "From behind a tree?"

Dadi: "Vali himself asked why Ram attacked from hiding. Ram explained that Vali had acted like an animal - taking his brother's wife, refusing to hear the truth. For such behavior, he deserved to be hunted like an animal."

Guddu: "Was that fair?"

Dadi: "It's a difficult question, beta. Some say Ram was right - Vali was unjust. Others question the method. The story makes us think about justice, forgiveness, and jumping to conclusions."

Guddu: "Vali should have listened to Sugriva's explanation."

Dadi: "That's the lesson. Vali let anger blind him. He assumed the worst about his brother instead of giving him a chance to explain. And that cost him everything."

Guddu: "I should always listen before getting angry."

Dadi: "Wise boy. Many fights happen because we assume instead of asking. Vali and Sugriva could have remained brothers. Instead, their kingdom drowned in blood."