The boys would listen and nod their heads, but within minutes would be at it again. Parvati punished them. Shiva scolded them. But nothing had any effect. Shiva and Parvati were at their wits' end. It seemed their quiet afternoon together was not to be.

Kartikkeya was speechless with amazement. How COULD Ganesh have beaten him?

'You cheated again!' said Kartikkeya accusingly to Ganesh. But Ganesh only smiled, and went off in search of some more goodies to munch.

Kartikkeya turned to his parents. 'How could he have WON?' he asked.

'By using his head, my valiant warrior!' said Shiva to his son, smiling. 'Ganesh walked round his mother - for him, he says, the Universe resides in his mother.'

Parvati laughed. She was feeling very pleased with her son's devotion to her. Kartikkeya could not argue with Ganesh's solution. He hung his head and conceded defeat. Secretly though he wished he had thought of circling his mother - trust clever old Ganesh to find the smartest, easiest way out!

But Shiva and Parvati smiled happily at each other - with Kartikkeya busy racing round the Universe and Ganesh eating laddoos in the kitchen, they had at last managed to find their quiet time together.

A Trip Around the Universe
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See also:   Ganesh, Parvati's Son    Kartikkeya, the Son of Shiva