When Krishna was a boy, he lived among cowherds by the river Yamuna. He played with his friends and looked after the cows. But one part of the river had become deadly.

A huge many-headed serpent named Kaliya lived in a pool there. His poison was so strong that trees on the bank withered, and birds touched by its spray were scorched. The cows and their herders could not drink from it.

Krishna decided to help. He climbed a tall tree and jumped right into the pool. Kaliya and the other serpents rose up and wrapped themselves around him. His friends ran home crying, and the whole village rushed to the river, sure he was lost.

Then Krishna freed himself. He climbed onto Kaliya's great hoods and danced on them, until the proud serpent was tired out and could fight no more.

Kaliya's family begged for mercy, and Krishna gave it. He didn't kill the serpent. He told him to leave the river and go to the sea, far from the village. And he promised that the marks of his feet on Kaliya's head would protect the serpent from his enemies.

Krishna was strong enough to win. But he was also kind enough to forgive. The river was made clean, and even the defeated serpent was given a safe new home.