Ananya is a huge fan of stories. I mean, I know all kids are..but I am saying this because our younger one, Ameya is not fascinated by them the same way as Ananya is. There is a difference I can perceive. Anyway, this discussion is for another day…
It was one of those bedtime story times when Ananya was 3 and I was going on about how Parvathi made Ganesha with clay and poured life into him.
Her first question: Did you also make me like that?
Me: No…God made you and put you inside my tummy…
Ananya: How did God get in?
Me: He is invisible. He can go anywhere. He entered my stomach, put you inside and came out.
Ananya: OK…did he hurt you?
Me: No…he took care of me..
Ananya: Ok…he took care of me also?
Me: Of course! That’s why you are here…
Ananya( looking temporarily convinced): Ok…go ahead with the story…
And so, I continue…
For those unfamiliar with the story, here is a brief version( My version to Ananya was longer with more colorful and captivating detail).
Parvathi made Ganesha with clay to guard the doorway while bathing…
Instructs Ganesha strictly to let NOBODY inside while she is bathing..
Shiva comes and Ganesha refuses entry…
A fight ensues and Shiva cuts off Ganesha’s head…
Parvathi is mad with grief and blames Shiva for the mishap…Shiva sends out a search party for a suitable replacement of the head…
The search party finds an elephant’s head and replaces the head of the beheaded boy…He is christened “Ganesha’.
Ananya listened throughout with her mouth open with intermittent ‘ hmm..hmm’.
And finally, this is what she came up with, ” If Parvathi made Ganesha out of clay the first time, why didnt she just make a head the second time too?”
Oh, Kids!!!
