Saraswati Puja

Mum Lioness and the cubs were strolling on the Arunachala Hill. Sometimes, they liked going for long walks. The cubs were always excitedly looking out for Siddhas. Spotty had told them that there were golden cities and palaces hidden inside the hill, but very few had seen them. The lion cubs used to often wonder about these things.

The cubs were quite surprised when they came across Aunt Hippo and her babies, Rumple and Crumple again. Mum Lioness greeted Aunt Hippo and said, "Oh Mum Hippo, you have gained a lot of weight recently!"
Aunt Hippo blushed and was visibly happy. She thanked Mum Lioness profusely for the compliment. Then she continued, "And you would not believe that I have put on a ton or two during the navratri (nine day fasting) period.
"I was so afraid I or my tiny darlings would lose weight during the fast, but we stocked up high on potatoes, so we could eat all day long!"

Aunt Hippo was very large-hearted, thought Mum Lioness. On the day of breaking fast, Aunt Hippo would prepare a huge feast and would feed many poor people. She sent prasad to many homes, including the Lionses, and the cubs loved the prasad, even if it was overly sweet or dripping in ghee.


Mum Lioness gave a loving pinch to the hippo babies as they parted.
Then they went to Virupaksha Cave. The cubs had told Mum Lioness that it was Saraswati Puja, and they must get Bhagavan's blessings. Mum Lioness smiled for she knew that the cubs needed an excuse to cuddle up in Bhagavan's lap.