Rama and the Golden Deer

Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana were living in the forest of Panchavati during their exile. One day, Sita spotted a most beautiful golden deer. Its skin shimmered like gold with silver spots dotting its body. Sita was enchanted and asked Rama to catch the deer for her. Lakshmana felt suspicious. He told Rama that no ordinary deer could look like that and it might be a trick by a demon. But Rama wanted to fulfill Sita's wish, so he went after the deer. The deer was actually a demon named Maricha who had been sent by the evil king Ravana as part of a wicked plan. Rama shot an arrow at the deer. As Maricha was dying, he cried out for help in a voice that sounded exactly like Rama's. Sita heard the cry and became worried. She urged Lakshmana to go help Rama. The moment Lakshmana left, Ravana arrived disguised as a holy man and kidnapped Sita. This story teaches us that things which appear too beautiful or too good to be true may sometimes be a trap in disguise.