The old book of Vishnu tells this very briefly: Vishnu came as Vamana, and with three steps he won back the worlds and gave them back to Indra. Families tell the fuller story like this.

Bali was a king of the asuras. He was generous, and his people loved him, but he grew so powerful that he took over heaven and the whole world. He was proud of how much he owned.

One day, while Bali was holding a great ceremony, a small boy walked in. He was a young priest, very short, with a gentle smile. His name was Vamana. Bali was famous for giving gifts, so he asked the boy what he wanted.

Vamana said, "Only as much land as I can cover in three steps." Bali laughed. Three tiny steps? Of course!

Then Vamana began to grow. He grew taller than the trees, taller than the mountains, taller than the clouds. With his first step he covered the whole earth. With his second, he covered the sky. Vamana was Vishnu himself, and he gave heaven back to Indra and the gods.

There was nowhere left for the third step. Bali understood. He bowed down and said, "Put your third step on my head." Because Bali kept his promise and gave up his pride, Vishnu blessed him. In Kerala, in the south of India, many families still welcome Bali back every year at the festival of Onam.

The story reminds us that God can come in small, humble forms. And it shows that even a proud person can do something great, by keeping their word and letting go.