The Three Stripes

 Day-20

NaPoWriMo-2026

Prompt: For today, try writing your own poem that uses an animal that shows up in myths and legends as a metaphor for some aspect of a contemporary person’s life. Include one spoken phrase.

This story is found in the epic" Ramayana". A squirrel helped Lord Rama, along with the monkey warriors and bears, to build the Ram Setu (bridge). 

                                                                          Image: Google

How tiny it was in front of the task

big boulders to lift

destination. too long

everybody  laughing 

at the nuisance in the midst.

Looking up at the lord

devotion in its big eyes

with great courage

scurried across 

picking up pebbles

some grains of sand

to fill the gaps

the bridge got stronger

so the awe 

in the eyes .

The lord observed

with kindness in his eyes

charmed with the

devotion, love, and dedication

shown by the little one

despite its size.

picking it up and 

running his fingers

across the little one's back

blessing it for yugas

with three beautiful stripes.

Participating in: NaPoWriMo-2026