Emperor Humayun Visits Guru Angad

Dadi: "Guddu, have you ever been so angry that you wanted to hit someone?"

Guddu: "*looks down* Sometimes, Dadi. When someone takes my things without asking."

Dadi: "And did hitting help?"

Guddu: "No... it just made everything worse."

Dadi: "Tonight's story is about a king who made that same mistake - and what happened when he tried to bully a holy man."

Guddu: "A king tried to bully someone? That's not nice!"

Dadi: "Not nice at all. His name was Humayun, and he was the Emperor of Delhi. But he wasn't a very strong ruler. A warrior named Sher Shah defeated him in battle and took his throne."

Guddu: "Oh no! What did Humayun do?"

Dadi: "He ran away to save his life. While he was traveling, he heard about a wise Guru named Angad Sahib. Humayun thought, "Maybe this holy man can bless me and help me get my kingdom back.""

Guddu: "That sounds like a good idea."

Dadi: "It was - but there was a problem. When Humayun arrived, the Guru was busy teaching his students and praying. He didn't stop what he was doing to bow and greet the emperor."

Guddu: "Maybe he didn't notice?"

Dadi: "Maybe. Or maybe the Guru knew that prayer time is prayer time - even emperors have to wait. But Humayun was used to everyone jumping when he appeared. He got angrier and angrier."

Guddu: "What did he do?"

Dadi: "*leans forward* He reached for his sword. He was going to threaten the Guru - maybe even hurt him - for not showing "proper respect.""

Guddu: "*gasps* That's terrible!"

Dadi: "The Guru finished his prayers and turned around. He looked straight at Humayun and said something very sharp. Do you want to know what?"

Guddu: "What did he say?"

Dadi: ""You are brave enough to draw your sword against peaceful people who are praying. Why didn't you use that sword against Sher Shah?""

Guddu: "Ohhh! That must have stung!"

Dadi: "*nods* The truth always stings when we don't want to hear it. Humayun had run away from his real enemy, but here he was, trying to act tough with a holy man who had done nothing wrong."

Guddu: "Did Humayun feel ashamed?"

Dadi: "Very much. And the Guru wasn't finished. He said, "If you had come with patience, if you had waited humbly in my company, God's blessing might have helped you regain your throne quickly. But your anger has cut that blessing.""

Guddu: "So no blessing for Humayun?"

Dadi: "Not the easy way, beta. The Guru told him, "You must go far away, to Persia. Build your strength there. Fight your way back. And if you win, remember to rule with kindness and justice.""

Guddu: "That sounds hard."

Dadi: "It was very hard. Humayun had to spend years in exile. He had to beg the Persian king for help. He had to build an army from nothing. Only after many, many struggles did he finally come back and defeat Sher Shah's followers."

Guddu: "He got his kingdom back?"

Dadi: "Yes, after many years. But by then, Guru Angad had passed away. A new Guru, Guru Amar Das, was now leading the Sikhs."

Guddu: "Did Humayun thank anyone?"

Dadi: "He couldn't thank Guru Angad in person. But he remembered what he had learned. And his son, Akbar, grew up to be a much wiser emperor. Akbar visited Guru Amar Das and became friends with the Sikhs. He even supported the langar - the free kitchen where everyone eats together."

Guddu: "So something good came out of it in the end?"

Dadi: "Yes, beta. But think about how much suffering Humayun caused himself by his impatience and anger. If he had just waited quietly, respected the Guru's prayer time, asked politely for guidance..."

Guddu: "Things might have been easier?"

Dadi: "Much easier. The Guru wasn't testing him to be mean. He was simply doing his duty - teaching and praying. Humayun's anger came from his own pride."

Guddu: "Dadi, I think I understand. When I get angry, I should stop and think first?"

Dadi: "*smiles* Exactly, my wise boy. Anger is like drawing a sword - it might feel powerful for a moment, but it usually cuts the one holding it. Humayun's anger cut off the very blessing he came to receive."

Guddu: "I'll try to remember that."

Dadi: "And remember one more thing - real bravery isn't bullying peaceful people. Real bravery is facing your real problems, even when they're hard. Humayun learned that lesson the long, difficult way."

Guddu: "Thank you, Dadi. I won't be like angry Humayun!"

Dadi: "*laughs and hugs him* You're already wiser than an emperor, my little one."