1. The Girl Who Married A Snake

2. Once upon a time, there lived a Brahmin and his wife who had no children. They prayed to God every day in the hope that they would be blessed with a child.

3. One fine day, the Brahmin's wife did give birth to a baby, but it was a snake! All the villagers, their friends and relatives advised them to get rid of the baby snake. But the Brahmin's wife did not care that her baby was a snake. She loved it all the same and refused to get rid of it.

4. She reared the baby snake with tender loving care and gave him the best of things. After many years had passed, the Brahmin's wife decided that it was time to get her baby married. But which girl would marry a snake?

5. One day, when the Brahmin returned home, he found his wife sobbing
One day, when the Brahmin returned home, he found his wife sobbing. She refused to tell him the reason, but just continued weeping. Finally she told him that she was crying because she realized that he did not love his son because he was not even thinking of his son's marriage. 

6. The Brahmin was shocked
The Brahmin was shocked. He asked her which person in his right mind would agree to marry his daughter to a snake. But seeing his wife crying ceaselessly, he was forced to go out in search of a bride for his son.

7. The Brahmin's wife was thrilled and immediately started making preparations for the wedding. Everyone advised the girl not to marry the snake, but she insisted that she must keep her father's word. 

8. He traveled far and wide, but with no success
He traveled far and wide, but with no success. Finally, he arrived in a big city where his best friend lived. The Brahmin decided to pay him a visit. They were both thrilled to see each other after such a long time. His friend asked him what brought him so far from home. The Brahmin replied that he was searching for a bride for his son. His friend told him to look no further and immediately promised his daughter's hand in marriage. The Brahmin told him to first take a look at his son. His friend refused saying that as he knew the family, it was not necessary. So he sent his beautiful daughter with the Brahmin. 

9. And so the girl and the snake were married
And so the girl and the snake were married. After marriage, the girl was a devoted wife. She looked after the snake well. The snake slept in his box at night. 

10. Then, one night, when the girl was going to sleep, she found a handsome young man in the room. She was scared and was about to run for help. The young man stopped her saying that he was her husband. Of course, she did not believe him. So he proved it by getting back into the snake skin. She was so happy that she fell at his feet. After that, every night the young man would shed the snakeskin and spend time with his bride. At daybreak, he would slip back into the snakeskin. 

11. One night, the Brahmin heard noises in his daughter-in-law's room
One night, the Brahmin heard noises in his daughter-in-law's room. So he kept a watch and saw the snake turning into a handsome young man. He rushed into the room and threw the snakeskin in to the fire. His son thanked him profusely saying that he was freed from a curse that forced him to stay in the snakeskin until someone destroyed it without his asking.  And so the handsome young man and his beautiful bride lived happily ever after.  

12. And the Legend of the Girl Who Married a Snake
India
And the Legend of the Girl Who Married a Snake

13. Where is India?

14. India’s Flag

15. The Girl Who Married a Snake
This story is told to children to remind them to treat others with respect
It is taken from a collection of traditional stories called Panchatantra

16. What Do People in India Eat?
Naan
Falafel
Beans
Vegetables
Spicy foods
Hummus

17. Henna
Henna is way people in India decorate themselves for special days
It is special paint that is used on a person’s body and looks similar to a tattoo

18. What Do People in India Do For Fun?
Cricket
Basketball
Field hockey
Soccer
Kabaddi
Fun Fact: Some people in India speak a traditional language called Hindi

19. India’s Palaces

20. Indian House