The Squirrel at the Bridge

Long ago, by the blue sea, there lived a little squirrel. She had a fluffy tail and bright, shiny eyes.

One morning, she heard big sounds on the shore. Thud! Splash! Thud! Splash! She ran to see what was going on.

Rama's friends were building a bridge across the sea. Big bears and strong monkeys carried heavy rocks. They placed them in the water, one by one. Rama needed this bridge to bring Sita home.

The little squirrel watched with wide eyes. "I want to help too," she thought. "But I cannot lift a rock. What can I do?"

Then she had an idea. She ran to the water and dipped in. Then she rolled in the soft sand. The sand stuck to her wet fur. She ran to the bridge and shook it off, between the rocks.

Dip, roll, run and shake. Back and forth she went, all day long.

A kind monkey bent down to look at her. "Little friend, what are you doing?" he asked.

"I am helping to build the bridge," said the squirrel.

The monkey was surprised. Then he smiled.

Rama saw her too. He was smiling, as he always did. He knelt down on the sand and held out his hand. The squirrel climbed onto his warm palm.

"Look," Rama said to his friends. "The big rocks make the bridge strong. But this little sand fills the gaps between them. Every bit of help is a gift."

Then Rama gently stroked her back with three fingers. Soft, slow and loving. Where his fingers touched, three lines appeared on her fur.

That is why, people say, squirrels have three lines on their backs. They are the mark of Rama's loving touch.

The squirrel hopped down, her heart full of joy. The sea breeze was cool. The waves went swish, swish on the shore.

Dip, roll, run and shake. And the happy little squirrel went back to work. Three soft lines shone on her back.