A scrolling story · for children aged 5 to 11 and their grown-ups
Steady faith (Shraddha)
A trader’s ship is caught in a terrible storm, and he prays with all his heart, promising five hundred gold coins to the Guru. Safe on shore, he reaches the village of Bakala and finds twenty-two men each saying “I am the Guru”. He offers each just two coins, and waits for the one who knows his promise without being told.
Scroll down, or use the arrow keys, to walk through the story. Nothing is narrated: it is made for reading aloud together.
Act 1 · The World & the Conflict
Act 1 · card 1 of 4
More than three hundred and fifty years ago, a trader named Makhan Shah sailed the wide ocean. His ship carried silk, spices and cotton, and his sailors trusted him like a father. Makhan Shah was a Sikh (a learner, a disciple of the Gurus), and every morning on the deck he bowed his head and remembered the Divine lovingly.
Act 1 · card 2 of 4
One night the sky turned black. Thunder cracked like a giant drum, and waves rose as tall as hills. The mast groaned. Water poured across the deck. “Captain, we will sink!” cried the sailors. Makhan Shah gripped the rail. His ship, his men, everything he had was in danger, and no human hand could save them now.
Act 1 · card 3 of 4
Makhan Shah knelt on the wet planks and prayed with his whole heart: “O True Guru, please carry my ship and my sailors safely to shore, and I will offer five hundred gold coins at your feet.” Nobody else heard his promise. Only the wind, the waves… and the Guru, to whom his heart was speaking.
Act 1 · card 4 of 4
By morning the sea was calm and silver. The ship was safe! Makhan Shah set off at once to keep his promise. He had heard that the next Guru would be found in the village of Bakala. But when he arrived, he found a surprise: twenty-two men, each on a fine mat, each with followers, each saying, “I am the Guru!”
Act 2 · The Crossroads
Act 2 · card 1 of 1
Some of the men wore jewels. Some had loud helpers who called out, “Come here! Bring your gifts to our Guru!” Makhan Shah’s head spun. His heart longed to keep his promise to the true Guru, but how could he know which one was real? If he gave his gold to the wrong man, his promise would be broken.
The crossroads · every path is a kind one
Tap a path to see where it leads. You can open all three: there is no wrong answer.
Makhan Shah chose Satya (truth). He thought, “Only my heart and the true Guru know my promise. The true one will not need to be told.” So he made a quiet test. He placed just two gold coins before each man. Each one took the coins, said thank you, and nothing more. Not one of them spoke of five hundred.
Makhan Shah chose Dharma (doing what is right). A promise made in prayer must be kept, and kept wisely, so he would not hand his gold to whoever called loudest. He bowed politely to every man and offered each two coins as respect, saving the full five hundred for the one who truly knew. One by one, they took the coins and stayed silent.
Makhan Shah chose Shanti (peace). He did not argue or rush. He sat quietly under a tree in Bakala, breathed slowly and listened. A small boy came by and whispered, “There is someone else here. He doesn’t sit on a fine mat. He meditates alone in a quiet room.” In the calm, Makhan Shah heard what all the noise had hidden.
Act 3 · The Inner Awakening
Act 3 · card 1 of 2
At last Makhan Shah was led to a simple room where Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji sat deep in meditation. Makhan Shah bowed and placed two coins before him. The Guru gently reminded him that in the storm he had promised five hundred. Makhan Shah’s eyes filled with happy tears. Nobody on earth could have known that, except the true Guru.
Act 3 · card 2 of 2
Makhan Shah ran up to the rooftop and called out to the whole village: “Guru ladho re! I have found the true Guru!” His faith is called Shraddha (steady faith). It does not bargain or shout; it holds firm, like an anchor in a storm. The DJJS teachings say a true Guru is known by the inner experience of Brahm Gyan (divine knowledge): the Divine Light within.
Try it tonight
Tonight, when you feel unsure, maybe about a friend, a rumour or a choice, don’t simply follow the loudest voice. Sit quietly for one minute with a hand on your heart and ask, “What is really true here?” Then choose the answer that feels steady and kind, like an anchor holding your little ship still.
The heart of the story
True faith does not bargain. It trusts completely, and the truth of the Guru is known from within.
Sikh history: Baba Makhan Shah Lobana finds Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at Bakala (1664)
