The story of Ekalavya 

Ekalavya was the son of a tribesman who lived in the forests. Ekalavya grew up a brave and strong lad , but he wanted to become a warrier . he had heard stories about the great Drona and what a wonderful teacher he was . He wanted to become Drona's pupil. So he left his forest home and went  to Hastinapura where Drona lived.
When drorna saw the young  stranger came and salute him , he asked ,"what has  brought you here, my boy ?"
"My name is Ekalavya, SIr ," he replied ."My father is chif of the  Nishada tribed . I want to become a warrior and I want you to teach me the art  oF warfare."
"I only teach Kshatriya princes, boy," said Drona hughtily . " I do not  teach forest tribesmen. Go away , young man . I will not teach you ."
Ekalavya felt very sad . But he was not the kind of boy to take no for an answer. As he walked away, he told himself that he would become Drona would be able to stop him.
Ekalavya returned to his forest home.Picking  up some clay, he made a small statue that looked like Drona.He regarded the statue as his guru. Every morning, he practise sword fencing, shooting with the bow and arrow, wrestlng and other martial arts. He worked hard and soon mastered these skills. One day Drona brought his royal pupils, Arjuna and Bhima, Duryodhana and Dushasana to the hunting. Suddenly one of the dogs beloning tothe royal party began to bark. At that movement, seven arrows flew, one by one , and struck the dog's open mouth. Drona could see they had been shot them, had taken aim with nothing to guide him, except the sound of the dog 's barking. He was a true warrior.
Drona was surprised. He had always thought that his students were the best. Now he was not so sure.
Just then, Ekalavya came forward holding a bow and arrow. He put his bow and arrow. He put his bow to one side, and folding his hands together bent low before Drona.
"Who are you, young man?" Drona asked. "And who is your teacher? I am sure your teacher must be a great Guru for he has trained you very well."
"I am Ekalavya, Sir," the youth replied. "I belong to the Nishada tribe. My teacher is the great Drona."Drona was suprised.
"Drona?"he repeated. "But Drona lives in Hastinapura.He knwos no Ekalavya."
Then Ekalavya told him how he had made a clay image of his teacher, how he prayed before him and practised the material arts."He may not know it, but Drona is my guru."
Droua looked at this handsome boy who knelt before him. A feeling of envy and fear filled his heart. He did not want the people to know that his royal pupils had been  defeated by a mere tribesboy. But he did not show his true feelings. He smiled and said,"If I am your teacher, then I must test your skill. Let us have a contest between these princes and you."
Ekalavya was very excited. At last he would have a chance to show his skill. The conttest began. One by one, Yudhishththira, Duryodhana and Bhima and Arjuna and Duryodhana, came forward to wrestle and fence and fence and shoot their arrows. But of them all, Ekalavya to his side and said,"Since I am your teacher, I must be paid. You have not paid me my dakshina."
"I will give you whatever you ask," said Ekalavya.
"As my gurudakshina, I will take your right thumb,"said Drona.
The boy started. Drona wanted his thumb so he could never draw a bow again. Drona wanted Arjuna to remain the greatest. Ekalavya knew this. He smiled gently and said,"I will gladly give what my teacher wants."
He drew his sword and with one stoke cut off his right thum. He put the bleeding offering before his Guru. Then he truned back and walked quietly to where he lived. The princes and Drona returned to Hastinapura.
Ekalavya's story is a sad one. It is the story of a great wrong done to a noble and brave boy. But we must not forget that people are a mixture of good and bad qualities. And the people in the Mahabharata were real people, with the strength and weakness of real people.