Aim

To reflect upon the significance of the Ramayana narrative.

Lesson

Begin by revising what was taught in the previous lesson about light as a symbol.

Inform children that Divali, like much within Hinduism, is very diverse and includes all the different symbolic aspects of light, for example, good and evil, hope and fear, old and new... These themes are also explored in all the different stories which are remembered and retold during the festival.

The most famous of these is the story of Rama and Sita. Share the shortened version of the Ramayana with the children.

Activity

Following discussion, groups of children could:

• write character profiles of Rama, Sita, Hamuman and Ravana
• compile a list of famous goodies and baddies in other texts
• create their own monster
• write their own story about the triumph of good over evil