The Blessed Squirrel of Ramayan

“I too belonged”

The divine bridge was being built.

The army of apes, huge and magnificent, was toiling day in and day out. There were other animals helping out too. The tiny squirrel looked at itself, a small being in the vast universe of huge animals, and thought, I want to help too.

Carrying a rock as small as a nut, in its little mouth, the squirrel placed it on the sethu (bridge) built by the vanara (monkey) sena. It came back for more rocks and repeated the action. The squirrel also rolled itself in the mud and sand, and carried the mud onto the bridge to drop it there. The apes saw this and laughed. They could not see how this little mud and small rocks would help them build the bridge.

But Lord Rama was thrilled. He picked up the squirrel and ran his fingers with affection across its back. Thus, the three lines were formed. Indian squirrels have since then had these three lines on their backs.

Rama realized the contributions of all those who belonged.
He heard the squirrel’s whisper, “I too belong.”

My forthcoming book details this philosophy by taking real examples of organisations that have thrived using the philosophy of nurturing happy employees to create an ambience of family-style belonging.

Read my forthcoming publication by Authors press India
Author: D. Sampath
Title: Wish to belong,  Want to perform
https://www.facebook.com/WishToBelongWantToPerform