The Little Squirrel and Ram’s Bridge

Long ago, Lord Ram and his army of friends needed to cross the great sea to bring Sita home. But how do you cross a sea with no boat? The waves rolled in, wide as the sky.

(Make big, heavy-lifting sounds.)

So the monkeys and bears began to build a bridge, carrying huge rocks and dropping them into the water. Every rock had Ram’s name written on it, and every rock floated! Splash, splash, the bridge grew longer.

Everyone was working hard, and everyone was in a hurry. Nearby, a tiny squirrel watched. “I want to help too,” it thought. “But I cannot carry rocks.”

Then the squirrel had an idea. “I can carry something small.” So it ran down to the sea, dipped into the water, and rolled in the sand.

(Scurry two fingers quickly along the blanket.)

Then it ran onto the bridge and shook the sand into the gaps between the rocks. Back to the sea. Roll in the sand. Run and shake. Again and again, as fast as its little legs could go.

A big monkey laughed, “Little one, you are in the way!” and almost stepped on it. The squirrel squeaked and hopped aside, but it did not stop. Back to the sea. Roll in the sand. Run and shake.

(Say Ram’s words gently and slowly.)

But Ram had seen everything. He gently picked up the squirrel, smiled, and stroked its back with three soft fingers. “Every small effort matters,” said Ram. “You have helped just as much as anyone.”

(Slow right down for the last page.)

And that, they say, is why squirrels have three light stripes on their backs: the gentle touch of Ram’s fingers. The bridge was finished, because everyone, big and small, did their part. As the sun went down over the sea, the little squirrel curled up, warm and happy, with its tail over its nose. Goodnight.