Skandamata and the Little Peacock

By a quiet mountain lake sat the goddess Parvati, on a big pink lotus. On her lap sat her little son, Skanda. Because she loved him so much, people called her Skandamata, which means Skanda's mother.

"Mother," said Skanda, "I want to be big and strong, right now!" He grabbed a long spear and tried to lift it. It wobbled. He wobbled. Bump! Down he sat on the grass, giggling.

Just then, he heard a small cheep. A baby peacock had tried to fly, and tumbled into the grass. "Are you all right?" Skanda asked softly. He picked up the little chick and stroked its fluffy feathers.

Skandamata smiled and hugged them both. "You and this little peacock are the same," she said. "You are both growing. Not all at once, but a tiny bit every day. Be patient, and be kind while you grow."

So every morning, Skanda practised, and so did the peacock. Skanda ran. The peacock flapped. Skanda helped it when it fell, and it cheered when he did well. Little by little, they both grew stronger.

One day, Skanda had grown into the brave Kartikeya. His peacock had grown into a beautiful bird with a shining tail, and now Kartikeya rode on its back! On the fifth day of Navaratri, we remember Skandamata, the mother who holds us close while we grow.