A tale of true devotion from the ramayana!!!!

[Guest guest]

"While the monkeys were building the bridge, a small squirrel

took pebbles in its mouth and brought them to the workers:

`These are to help in building the bridge to Lanka so that blessed

Rama may bring back his wife. I must do my share of the work.'

`You, what?' cried a monkey. `I am helping to build the bridge,

sir,' replied the squirrel. `Look, I am carrying the small

pebbles that with your rocks will help to from the bridge.'

 

"The monkeys burst into a mighty roar of laughter. By this time

a crowd of monkeys had collected and the first monkey roared out,

`Did you hear that? The squirrel says she's building a bridge

with her pebbles! Haha! I've never heard anything so funny in

my life.' The other monkeys thought it was a good joke too.

They held their sides and laughed. When they could laugh no more

they said to the squirrel: `Here, little creature. Do you think

Rama is in need of your pebbles? He commands the largest army

in the Seven Worlds, and for him we carry whole mountains with

their granite and rock. He does not want your little pebbles.'

The squirrel said, `I cannot carry mountains or rocks. God has

only given me strength to carry my pebbles. I cannot do more,

but this I will do, for my heart weeps for the sorrowing Rama,

and what I can do to help, I will.' The monkeys said, `Enough

of your foolishness, little one. We have no time for play and

for the likes of you. Go home to your nest in the trees and

let us get on with our work.'

 

"But the squirrel would not go. Again and again the monkeys

picked her up and put her down out of the way, and again and

again she returned, with her pebbles. Then the monkeys were

angry and threatened to throw her into the sea. Still the

squirrel said, `But I want to help too.' Then an angry monkey

picked up the little squirrel and flung her away. But she, crying

the name of Rama, fell into his hands, where he stood.

 

And Rama held the little squirrel close to him and said to the

monkeys, `Despise not the weak and the small, for according to each

man's strength will he serve. And to me what matters is not how great

the strength and service, but how great the love and devotion.

This little squirrel with her pebbles has love in her heart that

would move the earth and the heavens by its strength and power.'

And he chid them for their pride. But the squirrel he held

close to him and said: `Little one, your devotion has touched

my heart. Be blessed then by me whom you have loved and served.'

So saying, he stroked the little squirrel's furry back. And as

he put her down all who had crowded round saw upon the brown fur

the three white lines that were the marks of Sri Rama's fingers.

And ever since, the Indian squirrel has carried the three white

stripes on its back."

 

sri ram jai ram!!!!!