There was a beautiful ashram on the banks of River Ganga. Many hermits lived there with their families. One of the hermits was their chief or Kulapati. The hermits spent their time in prayer and meditation. They lived a simple life eating fruits and roots and following a disciplined style of living.
The Kulapati went to the river every morning to bathe and pray. One day as he was praying, a mouse fell into his hands. It had been dropped by a hawk flying overhead. The Kulapati wrapped the little mouse in a leaf. He and his wife had no children, so he turned the mouse into a little girl and took her home. His wife was delighted to see the little girl. They decided to bring her up as their daughter.
The years passed and the child grew up into a pretty young girl. Now the hermit and his wife began to worry about getting her married. They looked around for a suitable boy for her, who would be her equal in every way.
The hermit thought the most suitable bridegroom for her would be Ravi, the Sun. The Sun-god came when he was called in and asked the old hermit what he wanted. The Kulapati told him and Ravi was happy to agree. But when the hermit asked his daughter, she said she could not marry the Sun because he had a fiery temper.
So, he asked Ravi’s advice, who told him that Megha, the Cloud, was more powerful as he could cover the sun and hide the sunshine. So, the hermit called Megha who also agreed to marry his daughter. But the girl was unhappy. “Megha is cold and wet and very dark, father. I cannot marry him. Find me someone better,” she said.
The Cloud suggested Vayu’s name as the wind was stronger. It could carry off clouds in any direction. Vayu was willing to marry the hermit’s daughter, but once again she objected. “Oh, no father, he keeps floating off. I prefer someone more steady, please.”
“The Mountain is stronger than I am,” said Vayu, “He stops me from blowing. You can ask him.” But the stubborn girl refused, saying the mountain was very hard and never moved. So, the poor hermit asked the Mountain to suggest someone stronger than he was.
“Mice,” said the Mountain. “They dig holes through me too. So, they are stronger than I am.” The Kulapati requested the king of the mice who also agreed to marry his daughter. When the hermit asked her, she was delighted! The Mouse King was her equal; she felt happy.
So, the hermit transformed the girl back into a mouse and married her to the Mouse King. She had remained a mouse at heart!
