Introduction
These stories are unsent letters written by Sita to her sons Lava and Kusha throughout their childhood. This is all occurring after she was exiled by her one true love, Rama, for dwelling in another man's home after being kidnapped by Ravana, lord of the demons. Valmiki, the first poet, finds the pregnant Sita in the woods and takes her in, caring for her and her sons once they are born. Sita is heartbroken at her husband's actions, but she remains strong for her twin sons, living every day for them only. Valmiki encourages her to write down her adventures, her stories of strength and weakness, of love and loss, so that she may leave these for her sons when she departs for them to remember their mother's gentle perseverance.
Letter 1
My dearest sons,
Today is the day I regained my will to live, for today is the day you both were born to me. The storehouse of my tears emptied over the last several months as I lamented the loss of your father and our life together, but today I will shed no more tears, for I now have my precious Lava and Kusha. The sage Valmiki has blessed you both, Kusha with the blade of the Kusha grass and Lava with bits of the grass's base, and I know you both will live blessed and full lives.
While we spend our days together in these woods in the home of Valmiki, know that one day, your father Rama, the greatest ruler Kosala has ever seen, will come for you both and embrace you as his sons. I long for the day when you both are revered for the princes you truly are.
Valmiki has taught me of the wonders of writing my stories for you both, so as I watch you grow, I will write these letters and Valmiki will safeguard them for you until it is my time to return to my mother, Bhumi, the Earth-Goddess. Always remember that you, my sons, are my pride and my reason for joy. The gods could not have blessed me with a greater gift than my boys.
With all my heart and love,
Mother
p.s. Here is a picture of your father and me long ago; our love burned brighter than the Sun in those days.
Sita asks Rama to capture the golden deer; Image Source
Parchment Paper Image Source