Parables of Wisdom
The Courageous Girl
साहसी लड़की · હિંમતવાન છોકરી
Her knees were shaking, but she did not move
- 3 min full story
- 2 min children's telling
- For all ages
On a summer holiday in her grandmother's village, Avni finds a group of boys with sticks gathered around a snake by the well. She is just as frightened as they are, but she has a different idea of what brave means.
What it teaches Courage Ahimsa Compassion
The opening of the children's telling
Every summer, Avni went to stay with her Nani in a little village. At night Nani told her stories. Avni loved the story of Bhagwan Mahavir, who stayed calm and kind even when an angry snake came near.
"I could never be that brave," said Avni. "I am scared of a lizard!" Nani smiled. "Being brave does not mean you are never scared, beta."
Read the whole story See plans
To carry into the day
True courage is being afraid and still choosing not to harm.
To talk about together
Can you remember a time you were scared but did the kind thing anyway?
Retold for JainStory from the traditional narrative and checked against published Jain sources. Details vary between tellings.