Letter to Lord Jagannath
Letter to Lord Jagannath is a collection of eighteen inspiring and educational one-act plays originally written in Odia by Dr. Ramchandra Deo and translated into English by Rosy Deo. Written especially for children and young readers, the collection brings together devotional, moral, social, educational, environmental, historical and humorous themes. Each play uses memorable characters, clear dialogue and dramatic situations to present an important lesson in an engaging and performable form.
The title play, "A Letter to Lord Jagannath," tells the moving story of Sonu, a poor boy whose father is seriously ill. Unable to find money for treatment, Sonu writes directly to Lord Jagannath. His letter reaches a compassionate postmaster and his colleagues in Puri. Deeply touched by the child's faith and suffering, they collect money and help his family. The play shows that God often answers prayers through compassionate human beings and that helping someone in distress is itself a form of divine service.
Several plays explore faith, duty and family values. "The True Greatness" teaches that serving and honouring one's parents is among the highest forms of worship. "The Eyes of a Mother" shows how sincere faith and humility may bring divine help in an unexpected form. "The True Deity" reminds readers that feeding and serving the helpless may be a greater offering than ritual worship.
The collection also presents difficult moral choices. In "The Seeker of Refuge," a gardener must choose between personal grief and the promise he has made to protect a frightened man. "Kindness Comes Back" celebrates generosity through a king who is willing to sacrifice all his spiritual merit to relieve the suffering of others. These plays demonstrate that true righteousness is revealed through courage, compassion and selfless action.
Important social and educational concerns are also addressed. "The Child Labourer" reveals the poverty that may force a child to work. "Adulteration" warns against dishonesty in business and education. "Sonu's World" and "The Master of the House" encourage parents to understand their children's individual abilities, emotions and dreams. "The Sculptor of Human Character" honours the role of teachers, while "The Little Teacher" proves that wisdom and dignity are not determined by wealth or social position.
Other plays focus on environmental responsibility, friendship, social harmony and family love. "The Path to Redemption" teaches that repentance becomes meaningful only when it leads to restorative action. "The Universal Mother" rises above divisions of nationality and conflict to affirm the universality of a mother's compassion. "A Mother's Endless Love" and "The Dussehra Gift" show that affection, presence and sacrifice are more valuable than material possessions. Humour and satire appear in "Mahishasura Lives On," where intelligence triumphs over arrogance and physical strength.
At its heart, Letter to Lord Jagannath is a book about goodness in difficult circumstances. Its characters face poverty, illness, injustice, temptation, fear and grief, yet compassion, faith, honesty and courage repeatedly lead them towards hope. Suitable for reading, classroom discussion and stage performance, the collection encourages children to respect parents and teachers, care for nature, help the suffering and grow into truthful, thoughtful and responsible human beings.
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