This was a touching story I narrated at our recently concluded Ganesha Chaturthi Celebration.

Narrator: “There was a cobbler named Shankara 👞, who was a very sincere worker. He is the only breadwinner for his poor family. He has his wife and two children. 🧒👧 He has never visited a temple, but he believes there is a God who looks after everyone! 🙏”

Narrator: “Shankara is known for making artistic shoes, very good ones! 🎨👞 One fine day, all of a sudden, he fell sick 🤕, and both his hand and leg are paralyzed. He cannot move his hand or leg! 🛌 His whole family is depending on him! The family was in full distress! 😢 His wife struggled to take care of him and meet their needs.”

Narrator: “One good evening, he heard nice music – Ganesha Visarjan 🎶 near Lifestyle Layout. More than 100 people were singing songs and music, and they were so happy! 🎵 Shankara was impressed by the music, but he could not go and see…”

Shankara: “Girija, go check what’s happening! 🚶‍♀️”

Narrator: “She went and checked and came back saying, ‘All the devotees are very happy! 😃 They are doing a Pada Yatra to the temple as a thanksgiving to God for resolving their problems!’ 🙌”

Narrator: “Shankara got a great idea! 💡 He felt that he could do something for God to heal his paralysis. He decided to make a nice shoe for the God! 👟”

Narrator: “Days passed… But Shankara realized he didn’t know the size of God’s foot! 😰 ‘Will God accept it if I make a small one?’ He worried! 😟 ‘What am I doing! Shouldn’t I have visited a temple before?’”

Shankara: “I want to give something to God! Please help me! 🙏”

Narrator: “That night, God appeared in his dream in the form of light 🌟 and showed his feet alone and said…”

God: “Shankara – you can make shoes this size! 👣”

Narrator: “Next day, when Shankara woke up… his hand was moving, his leg was moving, and he could walk! 🚶‍♂️ He was jumping with joy! 🕺 Tears in his eyes, he thanked God! 🙌”

Narrator: “He made the shoe with whatever good materials he had and started walking toward the mountain! 🏔️”

Narrator: “Upon reaching the temple, he had the shoe on his head, but the temple authorities laughed at him. 😆 ‘God will not take your shoes! Leave them outside!’”

Narrator: “Shankara was shocked and cried! 😢”

Shankara: “O God! Why are you doing this to me? You created the desire in me to come and meet you… You cured my illness… you made me make the shoes… 🙏”

Narrator: “Shankara waited… day and night, but God did not come. 😔 He decided he would jump from the mountain! 🏔️ He said he would wait one more day…”

Narrator: “That night, God came in the form of light again! 🌠 He took the shoes, wore them, and walked across the mountains… then disappeared from his dreams… 💫”

Narrator: “Shankara woke up and saw that the shoe was still there, unmoved. 😡 Frustrated, angry, and disappointed! 😠 ‘Iraiva! How can you do this to me?!’”

Narrator: “He grabbed the shoe to throw it away… but noticed a miracle! ✨ The sole of the shoe was completely torn off, completely used! 🥾 He realized… if God came in the dream… how did the shoe appear used?! He was in tears… weeping with joy… 😭❤️”

Narrator: “Then, Ganesha appeared in front of him… 🕉️ Gave him a hug! 🤗”

Ganesha: “Shankara! I wanted to show your devotion to everyone here! Don’t worry… I am always with you… will always be with you in every occasion… I will take care of you forever. Be happy. Be content! 😊💖”