gallery-point: Squirrels are among the best-loved animals. There is something about their big eyes, bushy tails and silly antics that tugs at the heart-strings of many

Squirrels are one of the most successful mammals in accommodating to human-altered environments. They are among the top vote-getters for presenting problems to people. They are also among the best-loved animals. There is something about their big eyes, bushy tails and silly antics that tugs at the heart-strings of many.

Hindu God Ram was trying to cross ocean to reach Lanka to rescue Sita by fighting Ravan. The monkeys in the Vanara Sena{monkey army of god Rama} got busy carrying huge stones to build a bridge to Lanka. A squirrel was watching all this. She did not think about her size and did not wonder whether she could do anything, or not she started doing whatever she could. All she could carry were small pieces of stones. She did this with all her might. Ram was moved to see the tiny squirrel scurrying to and fro trying her best. He lifted the squirrel in his hands and very lovingly and gently stroked her. The squirrel did not have any lines on her body till then. The three lines that you now see on the back of squirrel are the loving marks left by Ram! Millions of trees are accidentally planted by squirrels who bury nuts and then forget where they hid them.