In a dark, gloomy cave, upon a high, steep hill, lived the wicked demon Bhasmasura. Such was his magical power, that if he touched anyone’s head, the person turned to ash and fell down dead!

“Who’ll help us,” the people cried.

A small voice spoke up, “To the demon, Bhasma, please let me go. I know what to do, I’m sure I know.”

“Oh Mohini, you foolish child! How can you save us from Bhasma, the wild?”

But Mohini shook her head, she listened to no one. And, off she went—over the mountains and hills; till she came to the cave, ghostly and chill.

Read this story in verse to discover how clever Mohini killed Bhasmasura.

Shanta Rameshwar Rao (1924–2015) wrote and told stories for most of her life. For her, story-telling was as natural as breathing; she believed that stories emerged from deep within and that in the telling and writing, they changed both teller and listener. She wrote for children and adults, and indeed her works have been enjoyed by people of all ages. She is best known for her retelling of Indian myths and legends. Her wide repertoire includes books like Tales of Ancient India (translated into several languages), The Bulbul’s Ruby Nose-ring, Seethu, Bekanna and the Musical Mice, Chathu—The Elephant Boy (co-authored with Karoor Nilakanta Pillai), In Worship of Shiva, and her retelling of the Mahabharata (now used as essential course material in story-telling courses in universities in the UK). Her novel, Children of God, was published to critical acclaim. She was invited by the Sahitya Akademi to write on the life and teachings of Jiddu Krishnamurti.

A dedicated and inspired educationist, Shanta Rameshwar Rao founded the Vidyaranya School in Hyderabad in 1961, a space where, as she believed, children could learn with joy, creativity and in a spirit of questioning.

Atany Roy, illustrator, artist and cartoonist has won several awards, both national and international. He has illustrated over 100 books for children.