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English Short Stories

A Cup of Butter and a Conversation

A Cup of Butter and a Conversation

Boy offering butter to Krishna statue in quiet temple
Reading Time: < 1 minute

One rainy afternoon, 14-year-old Aarav sat cross-legged on the verandah, staring at the grey clouds. His grandmother was inside, chanting softly from the Bhagavad Gita. Aarav sighed.

“Krishna never speaks to me. People say you can talk to Him… but I never hear anything back,” he mumbled.

Just then, his grandma appeared with a cup of warm tea and a smile.

“Beta, come sit. Let me tell you a story.”

🌿 The Tale She Told

Long ago, in a small village, lived a boy named Tanuj. He was troubled. His father lost his job, and his mother fell sick. Everyone said, “Pray to Krishna. He listens.” So, Tanuj did. Every day. But all he heard was silence.

One morning, fed up, he walked to the old temple and shouted,

“Krishna! Are you even there? Or am I talking to myself?”

Suddenly, an old man sitting nearby said, “Why are you angry, child?”

“I talk to Krishna, but He never answers,” Tanuj said.

The man smiled. “Are you talking to Krishna or with Krishna?”

Tanuj was confused. “What’s the difference?”

The old man replied,

“Talking to someone means you don’t expect a reply. Talking with means you pause… you listen… you notice.”

He gave Tanuj a small lump of fresh butter. “Offer this tomorrow. But don’t speak. Just feel.”

The next day, as Tanuj quietly placed the butter before the deity and sat still… he felt something different. A peace, a warmth, as if someone smiled inside him.

From that day, Tanuj didn’t just talk — he listened with his heart.

Aarav looked up.
“Did Krishna speak to him?”

Grandma chuckled, “He didn’t need words, beta. He spoke through silence. Through the heart.”

Aarav picked up the Gita that night, not to read — but to listen.

💡 The Lesson Inside
True prayer is not only about speaking; it’s about listening. When your mind is quiet, your heart becomes Krishna’s temple.
✨ Words Worth Keeping
Verandah
An open porch or balcony, usually with a roof.
Chanting
Singing or saying words rhythmically, often during prayer.
Deity
A god or divine being.
Confused
Not able to understand something clearly.
Lump
A small, shapeless mass of something (like butter or clay).
📚 Quick Glossary
Bhagavad Gita
A sacred Hindu scripture where Krishna shares spiritual wisdom.
Beta
A Hindi word for "child" or "son", used affectionately.
Krishna
A Hindu god known for wisdom, love, and guidance.
Temple
A place of worship.

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🧩 Vocabulary Explorer ✏️ Context Architect ⏳ Timeline Master ✍️ Creative Novelist
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Match the vocabulary word on the left with its correct meaning on the right.

Chanting
Verandah
Deity
Confused
Not able to understand something clearly.
An open porch or balcony, usually with a roof.
Singing or saying words rhythmically, often during prayer.
A god or divine being.

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