There are two epics in Hinduism: Ramayana and Mahabharata. This is the story of Ramayana.

Once there was a robber called Valya. He used to stay in the forest and rob people who passed by. One day sage Narada was passing in the forrest. Valya stoped Narada. Narada asked Valya, for whom do you rob people. Valya replied, 'For my family'. Narada said, 'By robbing and killing you have amassed lot of sin. Will your family share your sin as they have shared your wealth.' Valya could not answer this question so Narada said, 'Go to them and ask them'. So Valya went home and asked his wife and children whether they will share his sin'. They all said,' why should we share your sins'. Valya was disheartened and told Narada every thing. He asked Narada what to do. Narada said, 'sit at one place and repeat the name 'Ma Ra'. Valya started chanting Ma Ra but soon chanting Ra Ma, the opposite of Ma Ra. 12 years passed. Then Narada appearded before him and said, 'All your sins have gone now. People will now call you Valmiki'. I now tell you to write Ramayana, the story of Rama.

The Kingdom of Ayodhya had a king named Dasharatha. He had three wifes, Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikayi. Of this Kaikayi was the most beautiful and brave. She used to acompany Dashratha in battles. One day while fighting Dashratha life was saved by Kaikayi. Dasharath was very happy with Kaikai and granted her three boons. She told Dasharatha she will ask them when time comes.

 

Dasharatha had no children. He was told by his guru to make a yadnya. Dashratha agreed. Agni (the fire god) emerged from the holy fire and gave Dasharatha a spaghetti in milk and told then to give to each of his queens. Thus after nine months a son was born to Kausalya named Ram, Two sons to Sumitra named Laxman and Shatrughna and Bharat to Kaikaye. The boys were very fond of each other. The queens also loved all four sons as if they were their oun. All the boys were ecellent in Archery. Guru Vashishta was their family saint. He taught all the princes all the arts and out door games.

One day Guru Vishwamitra came to the palace to meet king Dasharatha. He told Dasharatha that whenever he and other saints perpormes holy yadnya's demons attacked them and distroyed the holy fire. Vishwamitra asked the King to hand hin Ram and Laxman so they could kill the demons and let the bramhins perfom yagyas. The King was afraid of sending the boys as they were young but Vishwamitra said he will take responsibility of them. So Dasharatha agreed. Ram and Laxnam killed many demons and solved the problems of the sages. They now could preform the holy fire with out fear.