The search for Sita had brought the vanaras, Rama's extraordinary forest allies, to the edge of a vast ocean. Somewhere on the other side was Lanka. And somewhere in Lanka, they believed, was Sita.
But knowing where she was had created another problem. Someone had to cross the sea.
The vanaras stood looking at the water. One said he could leap a certain distance. Another believed he could go farther. Someone else thought he might reach Lanka but worried that he would not have enough strength to return.
The ocean seemed impossibly wide.
While the others talked, Hanuman remained quiet.
Jambavan noticed him. Jambavan was old and wise. He knew the strength of the vanaras around him, and he knew that the one sitting quietly possessed extraordinary abilities.
So he began to speak to Hanuman. He reminded him of his remarkable birth. He reminded him of his strength and speed. He spoke of the astonishing things Hanuman had done when he was young.
Jambavan was not giving Hanuman a new power. He was helping Hanuman see what was already there.
As Hanuman listened, something changed. He rose. His confidence returned. He grew until his great form towered over the vanaras around him.
The ocean had not become smaller. Lanka had not moved any closer. The mission had not suddenly become easy. But Hanuman was no longer looking at the challenge in the same way.
He climbed Mount Mahendra and looked across the water. He gathered his strength.
Then Hanuman launched himself into the sky. The mountain shook beneath him. Trees and flowers were swept into the air. Below him stretched the enormous sea. Ahead waited Lanka.
Hanuman flew towards it.
The journey would bring new dangers and new tests. But the first impossible thing had already happened. Hanuman had begun.
