गणेश ने की माता-पिता की परिक्रमा

One day Shiva and Parvati wished to give a special fruit to one of their two sons. To decide who should receive it, they set a contest: whoever could circle the whole world three times and return first would win.

Ganesha's brother Kartikeya at once mounted his swift peacock and sped away to race around the earth. Ganesha, gentle and round and riding only a small mouse, knew he could never match that speed.

So he paused and thought. Then, quietly, he walked around his mother and father and bowed before them, saying that for him his parents were the whole world — and to honour them was to circle all of creation.

His parents were deeply moved by his love and his wisdom, and the fruit was given to Ganesha. The story is told to this day to remind us that cleverness and devotion can achieve what mere running cannot.