✦A gentle retelling from the Mahabharata
Arjuna’s Aim
During Drona’s archery test, Arjuna concentrates on one small part of a carefully prepared target.
A story to read together
Arjuna’s Aim
Take your time. Let the story unfold.
In the Mahabharata, the princes study archery and other skills with their teacher Drona. Arjuna works with great dedication and becomes an outstanding pupil. One day, Drona prepares a test to discover how carefully his students can concentrate. The target is an artificial bird placed high in a nearby tree. No living bird is being hunted.
A target in the tree
Drona gathers his pupils and explains the task. Each will take a turn aiming at the artificial bird. They must wait for his command before releasing an arrow. While each pupil stands ready, Drona will ask questions to discover where the pupil’s attention rests.
What the others notice
Yudhishthira is called first. Drona asks whether he can see the bird, then asks about the tree, his teacher, and the other pupils. Yudhishthira says that he can see them all. Drona tells him to stand aside without shooting. The other princes take their turns. Their answers are much the same: the bird is there, but so are the people and the tree around it. None is given the command to release.
Arjuna’s answer
Then Drona calls Arjuna. The pupil takes his place and draws his bow. Drona asks about the bird, the tree, and himself. Arjuna’s attention is on the bird alone. Drona asks him to describe it more closely. Now Arjuna says that he sees the bird’s head, rather than its body. The part he is aiming at has become the centre of his attention. Drona is delighted by the answer.
The arrow reaches its mark
Drona gives the command. Arjuna releases his arrow, strikes the artificial bird’s head, and brings it down. His teacher embraces him with joy. The test is complete. Arjuna’s success follows dedicated learning as well as concentration in that moment. Readers can consider how close attention helps them with their own everyday tasks.
The end
After the final page
There is no single right answer. Invite young readers to notice, wonder and imagine.
Why does Drona ask questions before allowing a shot?
What is different about Arjuna’s answer?
What small part of a reading or drawing task could you focus on?
Make something: Draw a simple shape on paper. Look closely for ten seconds, cover it, and draw what you remember on a second sheet. Compare the drawings and describe which details you noticed.
