A True Disciple

Long, long ago, there lived a Bhil child in a dense forest. He was Ekalavya. He was the son of the Bhil king. He was brave and fearless. He loved forest life. 

One day Ekalavya saw a dear. He ran after it. The deer ran past Drona's hut. The boy stopped. He saw Drona teaching some princes lessons in shooting, Ekalavya did not go near the place. He climbed a tall tree and watched from there.

Ekalavya noticed that Drona's arrows never missed their mark. He felt a keen desire to learn the art of archery at the feet of Drona, the best teacher in the world. One afternoon Ekalavya went up to Drona.

Ekalavya : Please, Sir will you teach me?

Drona      : Teach you? Go away. I teach princes only.

The boy became sad. His face was wet with tears.

"I will learn from him and him alone," he decided.

He made a figure of clay. It was the figure of Drona. He put it under a tree in the forest. He started  in shooting Practising . He shot arrow after arrow. The clay figure of Drona seemed smiling at him. A feeling of devotion and satisfaction grew in his heart. To him, the clay figure of Drona was his real teacher and he was its true disciple. Soon Ekalavya learnt to shoot very well.

One fine morning Ekalavya was Practising with his bow and arrow. A dog ran in front of him and tried to jump on him. Quickly he shot arrow after arrow till its mouth was full of arrows. But strangely enough there was no blood!

Soon Drona and the princes came searching their dog. Drona got angry at the scene. "Who has done has this? Come out and show your strength." 

Ekalavya got down from the tree, came near his Guru and bowed before him.

Drona       : You ? You did this ?

Ekalavya  :Yes Sir.

Drona       : Who taught you?

Ekalavya  : Yes Sir.

Drona       : It can't be What is that?

Ekalavya  : It is you, Master.

Drona       : Am I your teacher ? Will you give me Gurudakshina                      then?

Ekalavya  :  Ask me. 

Drona       : Give me your right thump.

Ekalavya  took out his knife to cut off his thump. Drona stopped him saying, "Don't don't cut off your thump. Promise never to use a bow and arrow in future." 

The boy promised and ran to the forest.