The Indian folk tradition abounds with tales revolving around the life of Lord Ram. Here is one that explains how the squirrel got its stripes:Seeking to bring back Sita, when Ram and Laxman along with the entire monkey army headed by Sugriv, reached the southern end of India (a place near Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu), they were faced with the difficulty of crossing a vast expanse of sea. Hanuman could leap across to Lanka, but how was the rest of the army to reach the other side?

So, Ram decided to pray to Varun, the Lord of the ocean, and seek his help. He sat worshipping for three days and three nights, but the ocean-god did not relent. Finally, overcome with rage, Ram stringed his bow and threatened to dry the seas with a single arrow. An alarmed Varun, promptly made an appearance and asked the forgiveness of Lord Ram. He suggested that the army of monkeys build a bridge across the waters using the rocks and boulders from the neighbouring hills, and promised that every rock would float if it were placed with the chanting of Lord Ram's name.

The entire army of monkeys promptly got to work, under the supervision of Hanuman and Jamvant. Ram sat under a tree thinking of Sita and the days ahead.

After a while, he noticed something that moved him to tears. A little squirrel, who had been watching the monkeys carry huge boulders and rocks to build the bridge, began to do her bit to help the Lord. She began carrying little pebbles in her mouth and her tiny hands from a little mound near the tree to the site of construction.

A much amused and pleased Ram picked up the squirrel and petted her, running his fingers from her head down to her tail. The squirrel was blessed and forever marked with stripes - the mark of Lord Ram and a trophy of love.