Siddhartha for children By: Kate Schied

One day Siddhartha the Brahman’s son asked his father if he could go on his own way. His father was not comfortable about his son leaving him. But he knew he must let Siddhartha go on his own path.

Siddhartha's friend Govinda came along. They started on their path by joining the Samanas.

Several years went by and they left the Samanas. They were traveling with each other.

The Buddha was at a nearby town. The two friends decided to go see & listen to the Buddha's teaching. OM

Govinda joined the monks who followed the Buddha, while Siddhartha continued to go on his own path of learning from himself and not others. After the two friends heard the Buddha's teachings they went on separate paths.

Vincent told Siddhartha “You can pay me when you come again.” Siddhartha replied “What if I don’t came back?” Vincent said “you will, Siddhartha.” Siddhartha came to the mighty river. Even though Siddhartha had no money to pay, the ferryman, Vincent allowed Siddhartha to cross.

Siddhartha continued to walk, he eventually reached a city. As he walked around the city, he saw a beautiful girl. He had to find out who she was.

He cut his beard and got cleaned up. He found out her name was Kamala. Then set he off to find her.

Kamala was wealthy, and she was interested in Siddhartha’s way of thinking. When she heard that he was able to read and write, which are valuable skills, she told him she would help him find a job.

Kamala knew a merchant, who liked Siddhartha and gave him a job as his assistant.

Siddhartha soon became a merchant and had riches of his own but he wasn’t happy even though he had nice elegant clothing and plenty of food to eat when he pleased. Siddhartha asked himself “I have all of these things but I’m not happy, why?” So he decided to leave the city.

Soon after he left the city he came across the ferryman that he had met before. This time again he had no money with him, even though he was clothed in elegant clothing. He told the ferryman that he could become his apprentice and learn from him and learn his skill.

Siddhartha & the ferryman, Vincent, became friends. They lived in a small hut and operated the ferry together.

One day, when Siddhartha and Vince were bringing a group of people on the ferry who were headed to see the Buddha who was dying, they heard a women scream. When Siddhartha saw who it was he recognized her. It was Kamala she was traveling with her young son, Sid. Kamala was bitten by a snake. Vince & Siddhartha lifted her on to the ferry and brought her to their hut. Siddhartha treated Sid as if he was his son.

When Kamala died they, had a funeral for her. Sid was sad that his mom past away. He was bored living with the older men. He told Siddhartha that he was going back to the city.

Siddhartha was sad that Sid had left but he learned that he must let go like his father had for him. Siddhartha soon learned from the mighty river, which spoke to him one day. The River told him “You must let go, there are endings and then become new beginnings, similar to Karma.”

Vincent was growing old and left Siddhartha to operate the ferry. One day when Siddhartha was bringing over people back & forth his old friend Govinda was traveling. Siddhartha recognized Govinda even though Govinda hadn’t recognize Siddhartha. The old friends talked. Siddhartha told his friend “Only Knowledge can be learned, Wisdom is un-teachable and must be gained from experience.”

THE END Siddhartha was able to think, wait, and fast. These were the things that he was able to do which helped him reach his goal. -We all must learn to think wisely -To be patient and wait - And to Fast from things (example's): not watch as much tv or participate in no TV week, this is like what some do for lent, you give up something for a few weeks.