Little Joys- From The Epic Ramayana

Ladoo- Ram & Laksh

"Ram Dada!" an over-enthusiastic 5-year-old Lakshman sprinted towards his brother, shouting at the top of his lungs. He raced to Ram's room as fast as his little legs could carry him.

"Dada..."

The smile on his face couldn't have been any brighter because, in that moment, his entire world stood before him. Ram's expression mirrored his, for he always felt joyous when Lakshman was around, as if his presence infused him with boundless zeal and energy.

The whole world knew of the brothers' close bond. But what remained hidden was the unique comfort they shared, the way they seamlessly switched roles. At times, Lakshman became the elder, protecting and pampering Ram, while other times, Ram assumed the younger role, delving into his mischievous side in a way that no one else had witnessed, except his brother.

"Dada, Ladoo!" Lakshman informed Ram eagerly.

"Ladoo?" Queen Kaikeyi inquired, as she stood there with Ram, tidying him up and combing his hair.

"Code word, Mata!" Ram covered it up and then gestured for Lakshman to remain silent. The younger brother was oblivious to what his brother meant by that, as he had been sent to check if Mata Kaushalya would be making ladoos today. They had caught the tantalizing aroma while passing by the kitchen.

"Where did you learn that word, Ram?" Mata Kaikeyi chuckled.

"Mata, can we go to the playground now?"

"Of course, you can!"

"Why the playground, Dada? Weren't you supposed to have la..." Lakshman innocently began to ask.

"Lakshman! Let's go; Bharat and Shatrughan must be waiting for us."

"But, Dada..."

A few minutes later...

"But, Dada..."

"Shh! What is it, Lakshman?"

"What 'What Lakshman'? You're so... so... so, umm, 'cro-phusing.'"

"'Cro-phusing?'"

"Yes, something like that."

"Confusing?"

"Doesn't that mean something you can't understand?"

"You mean 'confusing'?"

"Yes, yes, that's it!"

"Oh, yes, I am!" Ram playfully responded. "No, Lakshman, I'm not confusing."

"Then why are we going to the kitchen when we were supposed to go to the playground?"

"Shh! Just follow me!"

"Are you going to sneak away some ladoos like Shatrughan and I do?" Lakshman giggled, but when Ram gave him a look, he covered his little mouth. "But you don't like stealing, Dada!"

"People believe me, brother," Ram flashed a mischievous grin. "Just follow me!"

"Ram is the sanest of them, so calm and composed, right, Didi?" Queen Sumitra was speaking to the other two queens.

"True," Queen Kaikeyi Mata smiled at his mention. Beside her sat Queen Kaushalya, who was giving the final touches to the ladoos she had prepared for dessert.

"Mata," Ram approached them, with Lakshman by his side.

"Mata... I... want a... ladoo," Ram requested, his eyes filled with innocence.

The ladies exchanged knowing glances and nodded.

"Hmm, I see, Ram. It must be Lakshman who wanted ladoos before lunch and must have made you ask us," Sumitra said.