The story of Gopala and Krishna

Gopala was a little boy who lived with his mother at the edge of a huge forest. His father had died when he was a boy. When Gopala was five years old his mother sent him to school. To get to school, he had to walk through the forest and he was very afraid of the wild animals in the forest. So one fine morning he said to his mother that he is afraid of the wild animals in the forest and hence doesn't like going to the school. That night Gopala's mother prayed to Lord Krishna to protect his son. He had come into the world as a cowherd and she had named her little son after him.

Next morning she told Gopala, that do you know that you have a brother in the forest and whenever you are frightened just call out to him. He will surely come to your help. Gopala was very happy and that evening when he was returning home it became very dark so he called to his cowherd brother for help. At once a beautiful boy, just a little older than him appeared from the bushes. He was so sweet that Gopala loved him at once. Gopala was no longer afraid, and his cowherd brother told him stories all the way to school and back. One day, the school teacher told the children that he was planning a feast and each children has to bring something to eat. The children were excited and each boasted of what his mother would give him. Gopala's mother was distressed.

They were so poor that they had barely enough to eat themselves. Gopala told his mother not to worry, as his brother in the forest would manage something. The next morning, as he walked to the school, he told his mother about the feast. The kind cowherd immediately gave him a boul of sour milk. Gopala carried it carefully all the way to the school. The teacher thanked Gopala for his gift and gave all the children some milk from the bowl. It was very delicious and the children clamoured for more and to the astonishment of the teacher when he picked up the bowl it was full again.

Again and again he served the milk and was surprised that the bowl was always full. Gopala told the teacher, that his brother in the forest gave him this milk. Will you take me to him asked the teacher? They both walked into the forest and Gopala called out to his brother that his teacher has come to see him. He wants to thankyou for the delicious milk. Then they heard a voice you cannot see me little one. You saw me because of your mother who really loves me. She asked for my help. Gopala's brother was none other then the loving Lord Krishna.