Shiv and the Grasshopper
In a time long past, a deity known for his role as the Preserver of life distributed sustenance and fate to all beings, from kings to beggars. He provided different provisions according to the needs of each creature, ensuring that none were overlooked. His wife, Parbati, sought to play a trick on him by hiding a small grasshopper in her breast, questioning whether every creature had received its due share of food. When the distribution ended, Parbati jestingly asked if any mouth remained unfed. The deity confirmed that even the smallest creature, hidden within her, had been accounted for. Upon revealing the grasshopper, Parbati observed it feeding on a leaf, realizing the divine nature of the deity's provision. This moment underscored the theme of interconnectedness in creation, emphasizing that even the least significant beings are included in the cycle of life and sustenance. The narrative illustrates the balance of nature and the importance of every living thing, no matter how small.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1885 · Genre: Mythology, Poetry, Fable · 444 words
First lines
Shiv, who poured the harvest and made the winds to blow, Sitting at the doorways of a day of long ago, Gave to each his portion, food and toil and fate, From the King upon the _guddee_ to the Beggar at the gate. _All things made he -- Shiva the Preserver. Mahadeo! Mahadeo! He made all, -- Thorn for the camel, fodder for the kine, And mother's heart for sleepy head, O little son of mine! _
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Shiv and the Grasshopper is listed on Textopian as a poem by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1885 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Rudyard Kipling
- Date: 1885 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mythology, Poetry, Fable, Fantasy, Children's Literature
- Length: 444 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for Shiv and the Grasshopper by Rudyard Kipling
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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- Where does Mythology first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Song Of The Fifth River by Rudyard Kipling
- The New Knighthood by Rudyard Kipling
- Men Are Heavens Piers by Robert Louis Stevenson
- The Singsong Of Old Man Kangaroo by Rudyard Kipling
- A Counting Out Song by Rudyard Kipling
- Evarra And His Gods by Rudyard Kipling
Genres
- Mythology — The poem centers around the Hindu deity Shiva and explores themes of creation and sustenance, characteristic of mythological narratives.
- Poetry — The work is written in verse form, employing rhythm and imagery typical of poetry.
- Fable — The story conveys moral lessons through the interaction between characters, particularly the grasshopper and the divine figures.
- Fantasy — The narrative includes supernatural elements and divine beings, placing it within the fantasy genre.
Tags
Shiv · Grasshopper · Rudyard Kipling · mythology · Hinduism · Shiva · Parbati · preservation · nature · food distribution · fate · humor