Tirucub's idea

For Tirucub's birthday, Arunacub wrote a book called Have Love For All Creatures. Tirucub was deeply touched that his brother had taken so much trouble to write the book, and he loved it so much that he read it through several times.

As he was reading it for the third time, an idea came to him. He went off alone and thought about it for a long time, and then he found a pencil and paper and began to draw up plans.

Then he went to Mum Lioness.



"Mum Lioness, I would like to build a hospital for creatures who need medical care," he said.

Mum Lioness listened.

"Please! Think of the creatures who could be helped!" And he threw himself at her, thinking a hug might push her over the edge and make her agree.



"But ... what exactly do you know about building?" she said, finally.

"I could ask Annamalai Swami to help!"

"But think of the damage caused by that those bulldozers and backhoes just starting to clear for that temple ..."

"I HAVE thought about it. I would first transplant every blade of grass, and gently move every plant to a new place where it could fit in, and find a new home for every animal or bug. And the hospital would not have to be right on Arunachala ... it could be just a little distance away, but close enough for any creature to be easily taken there."

Oh, I see ... you HAVE thought all about this."

"Yes! Want to see the plans?" And Tirucub bounded into the cave and came back with some sketches.



Everyone examined the plans with great interest, but no matter how hard Tirucub pressed, he could not get a firm yes from his mother.

"It is not up to me," she kept saying. "We will have to wait and see ..."

"See what, exactly?"

At that point Mum Lioness just looked into the distance, as if listening.