This is an interesting story about a sweet little family. There was a mom, dad, and their two kids – a girl named Tanu and a boy named Manu. They all lived happily together.
One day, their dad’s mother – Grandma – came to live with them. Tanu and Manu were excited! “Yay! Grandma is here! Now it’s going to be even more fun,” they thought.
But very soon… things began to change.
Their grandma was very strict when it came to prayers, rituals, and traditions. Even for small things, she would say, “Do it only at the auspicious time. Only on a good day.” On fasting days, she wouldn’t allow any outside food – no hotel meals, no food deliveries. Only homemade food was allowed. Even when their mom was tired or unwell, Grandma didn’t compromise.
If their dad brought home something new for the kids – a toy or gift – Grandma would say, “Why did you buy this today? It’s not a good day! This shouldn’t be used now. Let me find an auspicious day for it.” So, the excitement of getting something new would vanish in seconds.
One day, a lizard was crawling in the kitchen. Tanu tried to chase it away with a stick. But Grandma stopped her. “How can you hurt a speechless creature?” she scolded. The lizard escaped—and was thrilled!
From then on, whenever Grandma spoke seriously, the lizard would make a clicking sound. Grandma said, “See? Even God agrees with me!” And this became a daily ritual.
Over time, Manu started believing everything Grandma said—especially when the lizard made a sound.
One day, he came home from his exam looking upset. “None of the questions I studied came. I think I’ll fail,” he said.
Grandma smiled, “Don’t worry, dear. You have God’s blessings. You’ll definitely pass.” Just then, the lizard clicked.
“There! Even God says so!” said Grandma. Manu believed it completely.
Another time, Tanu was excited about her school’s Mehndi competition. “I’m going to practice and join!” she said. Manu replied, “I’ll ask Grandma first. If she says yes and the lizard makes a sound, I’ll join. Otherwise, no.” Tanu said, “That’s silly! Just participate. It’s fun whether you win or not!”
But Manu wouldn’t budge. “No lizard sound, no competition.”
Their mom overheard all of this. Her heart sank. “How did things reach this point? My child can’t take a step without Grandma’s approval and a lizard’s signal?”
Tanu said, “Amma, did you hear Manu? He only listens to Grandma now.” Their mom sighed, “Yes, I heard. And even though Grandma isn’t home now, Manu is waiting for her to return. This fear has taken over his mind.” Tanu said, “It’s all because of that lizard! We need to do something.” Her mom was hesitant. “It’s just a creature. We shouldn’t hurt it.” Tanu replied, “We don’t have to hurt it. But we must stop this nonsense. Every time Grandma speaks, the lizard clicks. If we believe that every time, how can we live freely?”
Finally, her mom agreed. The two of them caught the lizard gently, placed it in a plastic box, and when the garbage truck came, they let it go—safely, without hurting it.
The lizard was gone.
When Grandma returned from her temple visit, Manu rushed to her. “Grandma, there’s a competition at school. Should I participate?” “Of course, dear. Go ahead!” she said. Manu paused. “But… the lizard didn’t make any sound.” “Oh,” Grandma hesitated. “Then that means I shouldn’t participate,” Manu said and ran off. Grandma was shocked. For the first time, she began to question herself.
Meanwhile, Tanu participated in the Mehndi competition and did really well. Manu didn’t participate at all. But during another competition, Manu sat in the audience and knew the answers to every question! His teacher noticed.
Later, she said, “Manu, if you had participated, our class might have won!”
Manu felt terrible. “Why didn’t I just participate? I missed a great chance…”
At home, their mom asked, “Tanu, how was the competition?” Tanu beamed, “I’m so happy, Amma! I gave my best. I didn’t win, but I made three new friends who taught me amazing mehndi designs! They said they’ll help me prepare for the next competition, and we’re going to practice together every weekend.”
Manu was surprised. “You didn’t win but you’re still happy?”
“Of course! Competitions are about learning, not just winning,” she said.
Manu felt regret deep inside. “I should have participated with you, Tanu. We could have had fun, and maybe I could have won too… but I waited for the lizard.”
Tanu looked at him and said, “Manu, we must rely on our own efforts, not someone else’s approval. Opportunities don’t wait. Next time, just try – whether you win or not, it will always be worth it.”
Manu nodded, slowly accepting her words.
The next day, Manu’s exam results came. He ran home angrily.
“Grandma! You said I’d pass. The lizard even clicked. But I failed!”
Grandma was stunned. Tanu and their mom smiled. “You believed the lizard and thought you would pass even when you knew you hadn’t performed well,” teased Tanu.
Manu shouted, “Everything you said is wrong! I failed! Only studying helps. Not listening to a lizard!”
This shook Grandma deeply.
Later that day, their mom gently spoke to her.
“Amma, times have changed. Your beliefs may have helped you, but please don’t impose them on the children. Let them grow with confidence in themselves. Don’t plant fear in their hearts. I want my kids to grow up to stand on their own.”
Even their dad joined, “Amma, I love and respect you. But I won’t let the fear I grew up with control my children’s future. I want them to be independent and strong.”
Grandma finally understood.
“Children should be taught courage and self-belief—not blind superstition or fear.”
Moral of the Story
Always fill your heart with courage and confidence. Don’t let fear or blind belief trap your thoughts. Believe in your effort, not in luck or signs. Ask questions. Try things. Win or lose, what matters is that you tried. The real magic is in your effort—not in a lizard’s voice.
