The Mouse Maid Made Mouse

On the banks of the mighty river Ganges, there lived a powerful Sage. He spent his days in prayer and meditation. He was kind to all creatures. One day, as he was cupping water in his hands to offer a prayer, a tiny Mouse fell from the beak of a hawk flying overhead. Plop! The poor little Mouse was wet and shivering with fear. The Sage felt pity. He wrapped the mouse in a warm leaf and took it to his hut. “I cannot release her,” he thought. “The hawk will catch her again. She needs protection.” Using his magical powers, he chanted a mantra. Om… Shanti… Transform! In a swirl of golden light, the tiny mouse turned into a beautiful baby girl.

The Sage took the baby to his wife. “This is a gift from the river,” he said. “Let us raise her as our own.” The wife was overjoyed. They named her “Moushumi” and loved her dearly. Years passed, and Moushumi grew into a lovely young woman. She was gentle and shy. The Sage said, “It is time for her to marry. She deserves the greatest husband in the universe.”

He used his magic to summon the Sun God. The Sun appeared, shining brightly. The room became very hot. “O Sun,” said the Sage. “Will you marry my daughter?” Moushumi hid her eyes. “No, father!” she cried. “He is too burning and hot. I cannot look at him. I want someone cooler.” The Sage asked the Sun, “Is there anyone greater than you?” “The Cloud is greater,” said the Sun humbly. “He can cover my light and block my heat.”

The Sage summoned the Cloud. A fluffy, dark Cloud floated into the room. It became cool and damp. “O Cloud,” said the Sage. “Will you marry my daughter?” Moushumi shivered. “No, father! He is too cold and dark. I want someone warmer.” The Sage asked the Cloud, “Is there anyone greater than you?” “The Wind is greater,” rumbled the Cloud. “He can blow me away wherever he pleases.”

The Sage summoned the Wind. A strong breeze rushed through the hut, knocking over pots. “O Wind,” said the Sage. “Will you marry my daughter?” Moushumi held onto her hair. “No, father! He is too fast and restless. He never stays in one place. I want someone more stable.” The Sage asked the Wind, “Is there anyone greater than you?” “The Mountain is greater,” whistled the Wind. “I cannot move him no matter how hard I blow.”

The Sage traveled to the great Mountain. “O Mountain,” he called. “Will you marry my daughter?” Moushumi looked at the hard rocks. “No, father,” she whispered. “He is too hard and rough. I want someone softer.” The Sage asked the Mountain, “Is there anyone greater than you?” “Yes,” said the Mountain. “The Mouse is greater than me. He is tiny, but he can dig holes through my hardest rocks. I cannot stop him.”

The Sage summoned a Mouse. The moment Moushumi saw the Mouse, her eyes lit up. She felt a strange happiness. “Father!” she clapped her hands. “He is the one! He is soft, and modest, and he has beautiful whiskers. I want to marry him!” The Sage smiled. He realized that although her form had changed, her soul was still that of a mouse. “It is destiny,” said the Sage. With a wave of his hand, he turned Moushumi back into a cute little mouse. She squeaked happily and ran off with her mouse husband into a cozy burrow, living happily ever after.

Moral of the Story: You can change your shape, but you cannot change your true nature. Destiny finds its way.