When Baby Hanuman Tried to Eat the Sun

When Hanuman was a small child on the slopes of the Anjanadri hill, he was unbelievably strong — and unbelievably hungry. One morning he saw the rising sun, glowing red like a ripe fruit, and decided it would make a perfect breakfast. He leapt high into the sky. Indra, the king of the gods, struck him down with his thunderbolt to protect the sun. Hanuman fell, hurt on his jaw — which is why he is also called *Bajrang* (jaw-struck). Vayu, the wind god and Hanuman's father, was furious. He stopped the winds across the world. Frightened, the gods came to revive Hanuman and each gave him a boon: limitless strength, fearlessness, devotion, and the power to never tire. From that day, baby Hanuman grew up to become the greatest devotee of Lord Rama, ready to use his strength only in service of dharma. **For little hearts:** Even mistakes can become blessings when guided by love and devotion.