The war at Lanka was fierce. Rama finally stood before Ravana, who was armed with a dozen cursed maces. Rama could have shot his brahmastra immediately. Instead, he lowered his bow.

Ravana laughed. But a single tear fell from his lowest head. For a moment, he hesitated. In that hesitation, Rama saw not a demon, but a fallen scholar who once knew the Vedas.

Years passed. Kavi the tree saw many battles—kings returning with bloodied swords, elephants trampling the weak. He had almost given up hope.