Gopal’s Brother

Long ago, in a small village lived a poor mother with her only son Gopal. Gopal was 5 years old. Though she was poor, she wanted Gopal to be well read. She went around the village and begged the villagers to support her only son’s education. They gave her enough money for Gopal to join a school in the next village. Gopal was happy, but there was a problem.
The next village was across a dense jungle. Gopal was a small boy. He was very afraid to walk across this jungle alone. He told his mother, ‘Ma! I am afraid to go alone in the dark. Can you come with me?’ What Could the mother do? She had to work all day to make a living. She sadly shook her head and said, ‘No my dear child, I cannot come…’ Seeing the little child’s face darken with fear and disappointment, she immediately closed her eyes, chanted ‘Hare Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare’ and prayed to Lord Krishna. She then said with a smile, ‘Gopal! Do not worry! Your brother – Krishna is there in the jungle. He is very strong and affectionate too. Whenever you need anything, just call out his name and he shall give you what you want.’ She just told so to Gopal to give him some strength so that he at least starts going to school.
Gopal started his first school day and while he was walking in the jungle, he heard a distant roar of a wild animal. He immediately cried out ‘Krishna! Oh Krishna! My brother where are you?’ Since he called out, our Lord Krishna’s Name with so much faith and devotion, Lord Sri Krishna appeared before him in all His beauty. Gopal was so happy to see his wonderful brother. Krishna told Gopal, ‘Gopal!! I am a cow herd in this jungle. I am always present here. If you want anything, just call me and I will find you!’
Gopal was overjoyed. That evening when he was returning home, he felt no fear, as Krishna – his brother is there to take care.
Whenever he was with his brother he felt so strong and happy! Krishna met him on the way and gave him a few flowers as a gift.
Gopal rushed home to report to his mother all the happenings. His mother could not believe that Lord Krishna really came for her son. But she just kept quiet. She thought Gopal was telling her stories!
Soon Gopal started bringing home milk sweets, which tasted like divine nectar and wonderful flowers which emanated a celestial scent. She wanted to see for herself. She called Gopal and asked him, ‘Did your brother really give you all this? ‘ Gopal replied, ‘ Of course Ma!’
She asked Gopal to take her to the jungle with him the next day.
As they were walking in the jungle, Gopal cried out to his brother and asked him to give flowers to his mother. Krishna came and gave flowers to Gopal. While Gopal was smiling at his ‘brother’ Krishna who appeared with a bunch of flowers in his hands, his mother could see only the flowers and not Krishna.
She understood that since Gopal called out to the Lord with complete faith, He appeared before him and since she lacked total faith the Lord showed his grace but did not appear before her.
If we call out His Name with complete faith, Krishna will certainly appear before us. Faith is the most important thing. Faith can win over any obstacle. So my dear children, pray with utmost faith, and the Lord answers such prayers immediately.