Once, devarishi¹ Narada came to Kailash to meet Lord Shiva, the God of destruction. Shiva was sitting with his wife Parvati and their children Karthikeya and Ganesha.

Narada brought them a mango as a gift and offered it.

“This mango looks delicious. Why don’t we cut it and eat?” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! This mango is very special but only as long as you eat it whole. If you cut it, the mango loses its powers. Therefore, it would be best if one of you eat the whole mango,” said Narada. “I have a suggestion. Why not give it to one of your children?”

Both Ganesha and Karthikeya eagerly jumped to eat the fruit. Narada was famous as a mischief-maker. Wherever he went, chaos followed.

Knowing Narada was up to no good, Shiva smiled and said, “What do you suggest, Narada? Who should receive the fruit?”

Narada replied, “Why don’t we conduct a race, O Lord? Let both Ganesha and Karthikeya go round the world three times. The one who completes the race first wins.”

Parvati whispered to Shiva, “Do you think it is a good idea to get our children to compete against each other?”

Shiva answered, “Why not? Let us see who wins.”

Karthikeya said, “My vehicle is a peacock, whereas Ganesha’s is a mouse. Isn’t it obvious I will win? Why do we even need to hold this race? You should declare me the winner.”

Ganesha smiled and said, “Do not be so sure, brother. I might surprise you.”

The race started. Karthikeya quickly mounted his peacock and shot off. Meanwhile, Ganesha stood thinking.

“Aren’t you going to start, Ganesha?” asked Narada.

“Not yet,” replied Ganesha. “I am hungry. Let me eat something before I start.”

While Karthikeya went around the world, Ganesha was busy eating Modaks.

When Karthikeya finished his first round, Narada told Ganesha, “Karthikeya has completed one round. Why haven’t you started yet, Ganesha?”

“Soon,” replied Ganesha. “Let me finish eating.”

Karthikeya finished the second round as well and started his third round around the world. Amused, he thought, “Ganesha is busy eating instead of racing. Why don’t they declare me the winner already?”

He was almost about to complete the race when Narada asked Ganesha again. “Karthikeya has almost completed the race, and you have not even started yet. So when do you plan to start, Ganesha?”

“I was just about to,” replied Ganesha as he stood up.

Then standing in front of his parents with his palms folded and eyes closed, Ganesha went around his parents three times. Finally, just as he completed his third round and Karthikeya reached Kailash.

“I have completed my race, and you haven’t yet begun?” mocked Karthikeya.

“You are wrong, Karthikeya. I finished my race and won as well,” replied Ganesha.

“You did not even move out of Kailash. So then how could you have gone around the world?” questioned Karthikeya.

“To me, my parents are my whole world and going around them equals going around the world. So what do you say, Devarishi?” asked Ganesha.

Narada replied, “Ganesha has won this race. He used his intelligence and found a simple solution.”

Narada then gave Ganesha the mango, who ate it with gusto. Angered at being tricked, Karthikeya left Kailash and went to the Palani hills in South India. Unhappy at having angered his brother, Ganesha went to Palani and placated his brother. Karthikeya eventually let go of his anger and returned home.

¹ celestial sage