📖 Chapter 5 – The Challenge of the Body (Workout teaches courage and energy)
🌅 A New Morning
The sun rose gently over Lakshmi’s village.
Golden light touched the trees, the flowers, and the rooftops.
Birds sang their cheerful morning songs.
Lakshmi had already built many habits:
Waking early gave her time.
Chanting gave her peace.
Drinking water gave her health.
Reading books gave her imagination.
But this morning felt different.
Something inside her whispered, “It’s time to move your body. It’s time for a new challenge.”
Her Amma noticed Lakshmi stretching lazily.
“Lakshmi,” Amma said kindly, “do you know what your body needs every day?”
Lakshmi thought. “Food? Water?”
Amma smiled. “Yes, those too. But the body also needs movement. When we exercise, our muscles grow strong, our heart becomes brave, and our mind feels fresh.”
Lakshmi’s eyes grew wide. “So exercise is like food for the body?”
“Exactly,” Amma nodded. “Exercise is courage. Exercise is energy.”
Lakshmi felt excited.
She whispered to herself, “Then today, I will begin the Challenge of the Body.”
🏃 The First Steps
Lakshmi put on her comfortable shoes and tied her hair neatly.
She stepped into the garden. The morning breeze touched her cheeks.
She decided to start by running around the garden.
At first, her legs felt heavy.
“Thump, thump, thump,” her feet hit the ground.
After two rounds, she stopped, panting.
“Oh no! My legs are tired already.”
She wanted to sit down.
But then she remembered Amma’s words: “Exercise teaches courage.”
Lakshmi straightened her back. “I will not give up. I will try again.”
She took deep breaths and ran once more.
This time, she felt a little lighter.
Her heartbeat was fast, but her face glowed with joy.
After five rounds, she finally sat under the mango tree.
Her clothes were damp with sweat, but her heart felt proud.
“I did it,” she smiled. “My body is learning courage.”
🤸 The Fun of Movement
The next morning, Lakshmi wanted to make exercise fun.
She remembered her school teacher showing them simple workouts.
So she stood straight and stretched her hands up to the sky.
“Hello, Sun!” she laughed.
Then she bent down to touch her toes.
“Hello, Earth!” she giggled.
She jumped like a frog across the garden.
“Ribbit! Ribbit!”
She balanced on one leg like a tall flamingo.
Her arms spread like wings.
Soon her little brother came running.
“Didi, what are you doing? You look funny!”
Lakshmi laughed. “I’m not funny, I’m exercising! Come join me.”
He hesitated, then copied her frog jumps.
“Ribbit! Ribbit!” they both laughed together.
Soon, the garden was full of joy and movement.
The Challenge of the Body was no longer boring. It was playful.
💪 The Strength Game
By the third day, Lakshmi wanted to test her strength.
She pushed against the wall with her palms.
She tried to do small push-ups.
She lifted a small bucket filled with water and carried it carefully.
“Wow,” she thought, “my body feels like a machine. The more I use it, the stronger it becomes.”
Her brother clapped for her.
“You are so strong, Didi! Can I try too?”
“Of course,” Lakshmi smiled.
She helped him carry a tiny bucket.
Though it was small, he felt proud too.
Amma watched them and said warmly,
“Children, remember—strength is not only in muscles.
Strength is also in your heart.
When you don’t give up, that is true strength.”
Lakshmi nodded. “So real strength is courage.”
🌧️ The Rainy Day Struggle
One morning, dark clouds covered the sky.
Rain poured heavily, filling the garden with puddles.
Lakshmi frowned. “Oh no! How will I exercise today?”
Her brother said, “Let’s skip it. We can play later.”
Lakshmi shook her head. “No. If I stop one day, my courage will run away.”
So she thought hard.
Finally, she decided to make a small workout room in the veranda.
She skipped with an imaginary rope.
She danced in circles.
She stretched her arms and touched her knees.
The sound of raindrops became like music.
Her body moved happily, even inside.
At the end, she whispered proudly,
“Rain cannot stop my courage.”
🏫 The School Race
A week later, the school announced a sports day.
There would be races, jumps, and games.
Arjun said nervously, “I don’t think I can run fast.”
Meena whispered, “I get tired too quickly.”
Lakshmi smiled. “Don’t worry. I will teach you the Challenge of the Body.”
That evening, she gathered her friends in the playground.
She showed them how to run slowly at first, then faster.
She taught them to breathe deeply.
She made them stretch and laugh while exercising.
Soon, her friends felt confident.
On Sports Day, everyone lined up for the race.
“On your marks… Get set… Go!” the teacher shouted.
Lakshmi ran like the wind.
Her heart beat fast, but she remembered all her practice.
Her legs moved with courage.
She reached the finish line among the top runners.
But more than winning, she felt proud of her energy.
Arjun and Meena also finished smiling.
They cheered, “We did it! Exercise gave us courage!”
🌟 The Lesson of Energy
Day by day, exercise became Lakshmi’s friend.
She no longer felt lazy in the mornings.
Her body grew strong. Her mind felt clear.
Even her schoolwork became easier because she had more energy to focus.
One evening, she told Amma,
“Amma, at first exercise felt hard. But now it feels like magic. It gives me courage and energy.”
Amma stroked her hair.
“Yes, Lakshmi. That is the secret of the body.
When we move our body with love and discipline, it becomes our best friend.”
Lakshmi smiled. “I think my treasure box is growing.
Waking early gave me time.
Chanting gave me peace.
Water gave me health.
Books gave me imagination.
And now exercise gives me courage and energy.”
Amma hugged her tightly.
“Yes, my dear. Step by step, you are building the treasure of life.”
🌙 The Moral
That night, before sleeping, Lakshmi whispered to herself:
“Courage is not only in fighting battles.
Courage is also in moving your body every day.
Energy comes from discipline.
And every little step makes me stronger.”
She closed her eyes with a peaceful smile.
The Challenge of the Body had become her gift forever.
