By Naramsetti Umamaheswararao
Once upon a time, the Rain God and the Wind God had an argument.
“I am greater than you,” said the Rain God.
“No, I am greater,” replied the Wind God.
To decide who was truly greater, they made a deal: “Whoever can trouble the people of Earth more, will be the greatest,” they agreed.
The next day, the Rain God started the round. It started with light showers but soon turned into heavy rain. It rained non-stop for an entire week! Crops were drowned. Farmers cried over their year-long hard work being washed away. Poor people’s small huts were destroyed. Some people died under collapsing walls. Animals were washed away in floods. Birds shivered in the cold. Rivers and lakes overflowed. Roads were flooded.
For seven days, the Sun didn’t shine, and people were very worried.
They prayed to the Rain God, “Please stop the rain!”
Hearing their cries, the Rain God finally stopped.
He proudly asked the Wind God, “Now do you agree I am the greatest?”
The Wind God replied, “Wait till you see my power. Then we’ll talk.”
Suddenly, the Wind God blew with all his strength.
Dust flew everywhere. Nothing was visible.
Roofs of huts flew away. People and animals were picked up and thrown down by the strong wind. Trees broke and fell. Even cattle tied in the yard broke their ropes and ran away. People were terrified. They prayed, “Wind God, please calm down!”
Hearing this, the Wind God smiled and stopped.
He told the Rain God proudly, “Look! People couldn’t handle even one day of my power. If I continued, imagine what would’ve happened.”
The Rain God was about to agree when suddenly they heard a voice: “No, you are both wrong!”
Surprised, they looked around. It was the Sun God speaking from the sky.
The Wind God asked, “Are you saying I’m not the greatest?”
The Sun said, “What’s so great about scaring people? If I shine too bright all day, even I can make people suffer. But that’s not our purpose. We exist to help people, not to trouble them.”
The Rain God said, “We just wanted to know who is greater.”
The Sun replied, “If you want to know that, ask Indra or the sages—not the people. You made people cry and suffer. Is that fair?”
Both gods asked, “Then what should we do?”
The Sun said, “Rain God, bring rain when it’s needed—during the rainy season or when the water level is low. Then people will worship you with love and gratitude. Wind God, blow cool breeze during summer. In winter, be gentle. During rains, guide the clouds to where rain is needed. Then people will respect and pray to you. Look at Mother Earth. She gives and serves without asking anything in return. Be like her. Don’t make people suffer just to prove who is better.”
The Rain God and Wind God nodded.
“You are right, Sun God. We agree. We will never make that mistake again.”
And with that, they left peacefully.
Naramsetti Umamaheswararao has written more than a thousand stories, songs, and novels for children over 42 years. he has published 32 books. His novel, Anandalokam, received the Central Sahitya Akademi Award for children’s literature. He has received numerous awards and honours, including the Andhra Pradesh Government’s Distinguished Telugu Language Award and the Pratibha Award from Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University. He established the Naramshetty Children’s Literature Foundation and has been actively promoting children’s literature as its president.
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