Many years ago, at the the end of the programs in each city on Amma‘s North American tour, there was an announcement that contained a story about a squirrel who contributed to the building of the Rama Setu bridge. The squirrel participated by rolling in the sand and then going to the end of the bridge and shaking the sand off, chanting the name of Lord Rama throughout the process.
Lord Rama rewarded the squirrel by picking him up and stroking his back. From then on, this type of squirrel had three stripes on its back, stripes that went from head to tail. The stripes are seen as Lord Rama’s fingers. At Amma’s programs, this story was used to teach that everything we do to contribute makes a difference.
I remember thinking that what was called a squirrel in the story must be what we call a chipmunk. Since then, I have learned that the squirrel is a palm squirrel and it the same size as a large chipmunk.
On one of the first days I was in the Saraswati garden, I heard a sound. I thought it was a bird at first, but when I followed the sound, I discovered it came from the squirrel in the picture at the top of this post. I didn’t know squirrels were so loud! Here are two more photos of that squirrel:
A few days ago, I saw another squirrel in the garden; or maybe it was the same one. I feel so privileged to have been able to watch squirrels like the one in the story I have heard so many times.
To look at previous posts in this Amritapuri series, click here.
Living, Learning and Letting Go 
Wow, I finally get to see one! I too always thought it was a chipmunk. I imagine your delight at seeing this/these little creatures.
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Delight is a good and accurate word! You can read more about them on Wikipedia.
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I love that story!!what a thrill to be visited by this squirrel!!
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Yes, that story of the Squirrel we know. They are such delightful creatures, always active and chip chip chip chip. I love watching them. They look like little elves.
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The meme is so cute. Thanks for showing it to me.
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I think we also call them Chip Monks.
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Great post on squirrels ! Nice story from the Ramayana 🙂
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Ok, ok, I’ll give a second thought now to our chipmunks in Spokane. I truly did love them at first, even fed them….duh. Big Mistake!! The third time I had to pay for the damage they did by climbing up into my car engine, and nesting among the wires, I stopped liking them.
But now…well, I guess I’ll reconsider!
On an unrelated noted, I’m off to see Reilly and Maloney’s final concert (after 46 years together…I’ve known them 42 of those years).
Maybe I’ll post about them….
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Namaste Dear Karuna et al…..thanks for teaching me soooooooo much about Striped Squirrels in such a nice concise way…you are blessing the gardens with every conscious in & out breath…Alo-HA StanleydelGozo
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Thanks so much for your kind words Stanley. Or maybe it’s StanleydelGozo. I think you use all parts as your first name. Right?
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love pics!
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