Here is a brief Jain account of the two well-known boyhood episodes of Vardhaman (Mahavira):

• Snake episode (snake story): When Mahavira was a boy playing with friends, a divine being disguised as a huge cobra appeared on the tree and scared the other children. Mahavira remained calm, caught hold of the snake, and threw it away to safety. This incident is often cited to illustrate his fearlessness and compassion from a young age. In some versions, the god reappears later in a different form to test him again. ( jainknowledge.com)

• Elephant episode: In another childhood scene, Mahavira is playing with companions and an enraged elephant charges toward him. The children flee, but he directly faces the danger, grabs the elephant by the trunk, and calms or controls it. This act contributed to his epithet Ati-vira (the very brave one). ( jainworld.com)

Notes on sources and tradition:

• These stories are found in Jain traditional narratives and are told with variations in different Jain sects (Digambar and Śvetāmbara). The core themes—courage, non-violence, self-control, and fearlessness—are common across versions, though some details may differ between Śvetāmbara and Digambar texts. ( jainworld.jainworld.com)

If you’d like, I can share a short, child-friendly retelling or point to a specific Digambara or Śvetāmbara version. You can read more about these tales on the Jain Knowledge pages:

• Prince Vardhamanas Courage Tested by a God
• Life of Mahavira (includes boyhood episodes)