Once upon a time, in the days of great kings and mighty warriors, brave Hanuman, the monkey hero, was given a very important mission. Lord Rama asked Hanuman to find his beloved wife, Sita, who had been captured by the wicked king Ravana and taken to the golden city of Lanka.

Hanuman was determined to help. He climbed a tall mountain, gathered all his strength, and leaped high into the sky! He flew over the sparkling blue ocean, the wind rushing past him, and the sea creatures watching in amazement.

After a long journey, Hanuman reached Lanka. But Lanka was full of fierce demons guarding the streets. Clever Hanuman shrunk himself down, smaller than a squirrel, and sneaked into the city without anyone seeing him.

He searched and searched, and finally, in a beautiful garden called Ashoka Vatika, filled with sweet-smelling trees and colorful flowers, he saw a sad and gentle lady sitting under a tree. It was Sita!

But Hanuman knew he had to be careful. If he just ran to her, she might suspect him to be a spy of Ravana.

So Hanuman quietly climbed into the tree above her and gently dropped Rama’s golden ring into her lap.

Sita gasped. She picked up the ring and held it close to her heart. She turned it over and over, her eyes shining with tears. But she still wondered, “Is this real? Or another one of Ravana’s tricks?”

Just then, Hanuman jumped down from the tree and bowed deeply. "Mother Sita," he said respectfully, "I am Hanuman, the humble messenger of Lord Rama. He has sent me to find you!"

Sita’s heart raced. She held up the ring to the sunlight and saw Rama’s name carved inside it. It was truly his ring!

Joy filled her heart. "Hanuman!" she cried. "You have brought me such hope! I have waited so long, keeping faith day and night."

Hanuman smiled brightly. "Mother, if you wish, climb onto my back! I will fly you back to Rama right now! I am strong enough to carry mountains — carrying you would be light as a flower!"

He bowed low and held out his arms, ready to rescue her.

But Sita shook her head gently. "Brave Hanuman," she said kindly, "your offer fills me with happiness. But I must not leave like a thief in the night. It is Rama’s duty to come and defeat Ravana with honor. Only then will all the world know that good has triumphed over evil."

Hanuman nodded. Her courage made him admire her even more.

Sita then took a small, jeweled hairpin from her hair and handed it to Hanuman. "Take this to Rama as a token of remembrance," she said. "Tell him I am waiting, faithful and strong."

Hanuman carefully tucked the hairpin away and promised, "Mother Sita, I will deliver your message. Very soon, you will see Rama, and all this sorrow will end!"

His heart full of determination, Hanuman prepared to leave but not before teaching Ravana and his demons a fiery lesson first!

Hanuman grew big again and roared loudly, pulling up trees and smashing the guards’ weapons. The demons captured him at last and dragged him to Ravana’s court.

Ravana’s red eyes burned with anger. "Who are you, you foolish monkey?" he shouted.

Hanuman stood tall and said, "I am Hanuman, servant of Lord Rama. You have stolen Sita, and Rama will soon defeat you!"

Ravana was furious. "Kill him!" he ordered.

But just then, Vibhishana, Ravana’s wise brother, stepped forward and said, "Brother, it is wrong to kill a messenger. Let us punish him, but not take his life."

Ravana agreed. "Fine," he sneered. "Set his tail on fire! Let him be laughed at!"

The demons tied Hanuman’s tail with cloth and set it ablaze. But they didn’t know who they were dealing with! Hanuman grew even bigger, laughed loudly, and leapt high into the sky.

With his fiery tail, he jumped from rooftop to rooftop, setting the golden city of Lanka ablaze! Homes, palaces, and towers all caught fire, and thick smoke filled the sky.

The demons screamed and ran in fear. Ravana watched in shock as his mighty city burned.

Finally, Hanuman dipped his burning tail in the ocean to cool it off, took a huge leap back across the sea, and returned to Rama with Sita’s message. Thanks to Hanuman’s courage, a great rescue would soon begin — and good would triumph over evil!