Reading Notes: Tiny Tales from the Ramayana, Part C

 Plot/Character Focus: Hanuman

*For this reading notes post, I will focus on the stories related to Hanuman's journey to Lanka. These stories cover the majority of Page 12 and 13 of Part C; links are provided in the bibliography at the end

Exposition: For the entire trip to the ocean's edge, Hanuman has still believed himself a normal monkey. However, as the monkeys despair realizing none of them can jump across the entire ocean to Lanka, Jambavan decides to tell Hanuman his true forgotten powers. Hanuman becomes bigger than all the other monkeys, and he realizes he can make the jump.

Rising Action: Hanuman has no issues completing his jump in one try, so he politely refuses an offer from Mount Mainaka to rest. Next, a more dangerous creature appears, a giant sea monster who tries to eat Hanuman. Hanuman and Surasa puff themselves up in size, trying to out-do each other, but then Hanuman decides to shrink so he can easily outmaneuver the giant Surasa. The other monster Simhika faces a much worse fate; Hanuman gets swallowed on purpose and then destroys her from the inside in a very graphic description. He then makes it to the shore of Lanka and unceremoniously shoves the powerful goddess Lankini to the ground with pretty much zero effort. Hanuman finds Sita, and he relays what has happened with Rama to her. Sita decides to stay and wait for Rama to rescue her, which ultimately ends up costing a ton more bloodshed than Hanuman whisking her away to safety, so that was a pretty selfish choice on Sita's part.

(Image Info: Hanuman statue by Bijesh babu, no changes; Source: Wikimedia; License: here)

Climax: Hanuman for some reason makes a giant racket while eating fruit, so Ravana notices and sends his son to capture the monkey. Hanuman of course easily kills Ravana's son, so he gets really mad and sends a bunch of other creatures. Hanuman pretends to be injured so he can tell Ravana that Rama is coming, and then he burns the entire city to the ground and leaves. Pretty overpowered.

Falling Action: As the entire city burns down, Hanuman tells Sita he's gonna peace out and let Rama know what happened.

Resolution: Hamuman rejoins his monkey and bear friends and tells them what happened too.

Strengths: Hanuman is really powerful, and he acts for good. He cares about Sita and tries to help his friends out in any way he can. He's also clever.

Weaknesses: Hanuman randomly decides to be mischievous at bad times, which causes extra trouble. 

Bibliography: Tiny Tales from the Ramayana by Laura Gibbs, Part C, Pages 12 and 13.