Download, print and color these drawings: 

This story took place not too far away, and not too long ago. Young Navdip Kaur’s little brother was very sick. He was so sensitive to light that he stayed in the darkness and he was so sick that he couldn’t even speak, he had an infection in his lungs. She took care of him even though it meant she couldn’t study for her science exam which was coming up. She held him in her arms for almost three full days. She spent all her time looking after him, feeding him and taking care of all his needs.

During these three days she was supposed to be studying for her exam, but she hadn’t read a single word from her science book. She wasn’t worried though. “I am doing the right thing,” she thought. When her mom got home in the morning from working at her night job, Navdip gave her mom the care of her brother. Without even changing her clothes she ran out the door for school to take her exam, but when she got to her bicycle for the 40 minute ride, there was a puncture in the tire! No one could help her fix it this early in the morning. She ran over to her friends house to see if she could get a ride with her, but her friend already left! So she asked her friend’s mom if she could borrow her bicycle, but her mother couldn’t find the key for it! Nothing seemed to be working out.

She was walking through the streets and she knew if she didn’t make it on time, she would lose a whole year of school, but still she was calm and hopeful. All of the sudden a sweet voice asked, “Daughter, where do you want to go?” What a strange thing! It was a rikshaw-puller who was talking to her! Where had he come from? His turban, beard and clothes were all white and his face seemed to glow with light. He had a presence about him. This cheerful man looked saintly.

She only had $10 and that wasn’t nearly enough to get to school. “How much?” she asked. “Two dollars,” he said. He had the most wonderful and comfortable rikshaw she had ever seen. It was painted all over with beautiful flowers and elephants. Soon they arrived at the auto stop where a car was leaving to the college. She tried to gave the rikshaw man the $10 and ran after the car, trying to flag it down. The rikshaw man would not take the money. She thought maybe he didn’t have change and he really only wanted $2. When she got to the car she asked the driver if he had change so she could give $2 to the rikshaw man. The driver and everyone in the car looked at her like she was crazy. “What rikshaw? There is no rikshaw here, who are you talking about!?” When she looked back to see the rikshaw....... no one was there.

“Did you see the rikshaw?” she asked the people in the car. They just kept looking at her confused. Astonished, she just got in the car and went to school to take her exam. Later at home she told her mom the whole story of the mysterious, saintly looking man who appeared. He gave her a ride and then disappeared. Her mom laughed and said “That old rikshaw driver was God himself, that’s why no one else could see him.

Navdip remembered the story of her brother’s birth. She had never believed the story till now. He was born too early and the doctors said, “He probably won’t live more than a day.” He was turning blue all over and couldn’t get enough oxygen. Her mom just bowed her head and began to pray with all her heart. After a half hour the mom looked over to her daughter and said, “I saw a beautiful man with a white turban, white robe and a white beard. He had sparkling eyes and light came out of him. He walked between the lines of all the babies. He stood before my son and pointed a finger at him. It meant that life is given to him by God’s command, God’s hukam. His name should be ‘Hukam Singh.’” Suddenly a nurse shook her and said, “He’s coming back to life, he’s coming back to life!!!” The most senior doctor pointed to the heavens and said, “God is Great.

Now Navdip had seen this man for herself. She no longer doubted that God comes down and helps even people like her. Know that God will always help you in every situation!

 

Storyteller:  Guruka Singh Khalsa
Age ranges:  1 - 6, 13 - 17, 7 - 12