The Ramayana is a very famous and important story in the Hindu tradition in India. It describes the life and exploits of Lord Rama, and those close to him. In this story, Rama had to go through many hardships, as did his wife Sita, who was carried off to the island of Lanka (now Sri Lanka) by the horrible Ravana. This small part of the story was just before the war between Rama and Ravana.

Rama was trying to reach the island of Lanka to fight with Ravana and rescue his wife Sita. The ocean stood between them and had to be crossed. Rama prayed to the king of the ocean, and the waters parted leaving a path for Rama. The monkeys were busy carrying huge stones and boulders, building a bridge to Lanka. A small squirrel was watching all this. He too wanted to help Rama. He did not think about his size. He did not wonder whether he could do anything. He just started doing whatever he could. All that he could carry were small stones, so this he did this with all his might. Rama was moved to see the tiny squirrel scurrying to and fro trying his best to help. He lifted the helpful squirrel in his hands and very lovingly and gently he stroked it. Did you know that the squirrel did not have any marks on his body till then? The three lines you see on his back now are the loving marks left by Rama.

Reprinted with permission from the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, from the Teachers' Guide for Value-based Spiritual Education. Curriculum for Classes I to X, 2000, Sahaj Marg Research and Training Institute of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, Chennai, India. For information contact Santosh Khanjee, Secretary of International Affairs at info@srcm.org.

Q: Do you sometimes feel that you are too young, or too insignificant to make a difference in this world? Does it stop you from doing things that would help or that matter?

Q: Did the little squirrel worry about the results of his work? What happens when you worry about results?

Q: Why do you think he had the courage and determination to just work without thinking of anything else? What made him want to help so much?

Q: How did Rama react to the little squirrel's hard work?

Q: Can you think of situations in your own life where you could be like the little squirrel in your attitude towards work? What qualities of character would you need to follow his example?

Q: Can you think of situations where, like Rama, you could show appreciation and gratitude for the work of others, even if their contribution is not so big, or even if you could do the work better yourself? Especially think about your attitude towards younger children, like brothers and sisters, when they offer to help you with something.

O, Master!
Thou art the real goal of human life.
We are yet but slaves of wishes
Putting bar to our advancement,
Thou art the only God and power
To bring us up to that stage.