Eyes on the Peacock’s Tail

by Vayu Naidu and illustrated by Mugdha Shah

“Eyes on the Peacock’s Tail” by Vayu Naidu and illustrated by Mugdha Shah. Published by Tulika and part of the under the banyan series. This is a folk tale from Rajasthan.

There was a time when all the animals in the jungle were on the lookout for a leader. They tried choosing one who was quite up to the job of holding everyone together. They all gathered under the old banyan tree. The sun made lovely patterns of light on the forest floor there. Out came the peacock from behind the banyan tree. He was the first peacock of creation and was gorgeous to look at. He had a long shimmering blue-green tail which he fanned out in a wide arch. He looked like a king. The animals decided to make him their leader. They told the peacock that all he had to do was either agree or disagree with what the ministers say. The lazy peacock was satisfied with this prospect and agreed to become the leader of the animals.

While all of the above was taking place, Sun King’s daughter Surya was watching from a parting in the clouds up above. She saw the peacock and fell in love with him instantly. She told her father that she wanted to marry him. The sun king tried to convince her that the peacock was very proud and cared only for his looks. A clever girl like Surya would get bored with him. She should choose someone who was her equal. But Surya had made up her mind and got married to the peacock. The peacock agreed to marry when he saw the golden chariot coming to take him away to the sky. 

What happened next? Did the peacock change and start liking Surya? Was Surya happy being married to the peacock? How did the peacock get eyes on its tail? Did the peacock continue to be the leader of the animals? The story talks about all of these. The illustrations are adapted from traditional Phad paintings popular in Rajasthan. Enjoyed reading this with my seven year old. Apt for children aged 5+.