Once upon a time, in a land called India, there was a beautiful princess named Sita. She lived in a city called Ayodhya with her father, King Janaka. Sita was gentle, kind, and very pretty. Everybody loved her.

One day, King Janaka held a grand event called Swayamvara to find a suitable husband for Sita. Princes from different lands came to win her hand in marriage. The test was to lift and string a divine bow, which was very heavy and powerful.

A prince named Rama, from the city of Ayodhya, arrived at the event with his brother, Lakshmana. Rama was the son of King Dasharatha and was strong, noble, and very handsome. Sita had heard stories about Rama and secretly hoped he would win.

The princes tried to lift the bow but failed. Finally, it was Rama's turn. Everyone watched as he calmly lifted the bow, strung it, and broke it. Sita was overjoyed, and the two were married in a beautiful ceremony.

Rama and Sita returned to Ayodhya, where they lived happily. But soon, Rama's stepmother, Kaikeyi, wanted her son, Bharata, to become king. She asked King Dasharatha to send Rama into exile for 14 years.

King Dasharatha was heartbroken, but he kept his promise. Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana left the palace and started their journey into the forest. They loved the creatures of nature and built a little home to live in.

One day, a fierce demoness named Surpanakha saw Rama and fell in love with him. She tried to hurt Sita, but Lakshmana protected her and chased Surpanakha away. Enraged, she went and told her brother, Ravana, about them.

Ravana was a powerful demon king with ten heads, who ruled the island of Lanka. He wanted revenge for his sister and decided to kidnap Sita. Ravana asked a demon, Maricha, to take the form of a golden deer and distract Rama and Lakshmana.

When Sita saw the golden deer, she asked Rama to catch it for her. Rama chased the deer and told Lakshmana to stay and protect Sita. After a while, Sita heard a cry for help, thinking it was Rama, she asked Lakshmana to go and help him.

Lakshmana hesitated but eventually went to find Rama, drawing a protective circle around Sita before leaving. Sita was alone and worried when Ravana appeared as a sage, asking for food. When Sita stepped out of the circle to give him food, he kidnapped her.

When Rama and Lakshmana returned, they found Sita missing and began searching for her. They met a vulture king named Jatayu, who fought Ravana but was severely injured. He told Rama and Lakshmana about Sita's kidnapping and died.

The brothers continued their search and met a tribe of monkeys led by Sugriva and his wise advisor, Hanuman. They formed an alliance and promised to help each other. The monkeys searched for Sita and found out she was in Lanka.

Hanuman, who had the power to change his size, jumped over the ocean to Lanka in a single leap. He searched the city and found Sita, who was sad and worried in a garden. Hanuman reassured her and pledged to rescue her.

Hanuman was caught by Ravana's guards, and they set his tail on fire. Hanuman escaped, set fire to Lanka with his burning tail, and returned to Rama with the news of Sita's location.

Rama, Lakshmana, and the monkey army built a huge bridge over the ocean to reach Lanka. Once there, they fought a fierce battle against Ravana and his demon army. Rama used a powerful arrow to defeat Ravana, and the demons fled in terror.

Rama and Sita were finally reunited, and they returned to Ayodhya with Lakshmana and friends. The city was decorated with flowers and lamps to welcome them, which is celebrated as Diwali every year.

Rama was crowned king, and Sita became queen. They ruled Ayodhya with love, kindness, and wisdom. Their story, the Ramayana, is a symbol of good triumphing over evil and has been passed down through generations.