Bhagavan saves a life

Tiru cub had been insisting on going for Bhagavan's darshan since the morning. Mum Lioness was asking him to wait a few minutes, so she could pack some idlis and chutney for them to take to the Virupaksha Cave where Bhagavan currently resided.
The cubs took turns peeping into the kitchen and clearing their throats by the door to remind Mum Lioness that they were still waiting.
Finally the idlies were properly steamed and ready for packing.

Picking up little brother Spotty from the neighbouring cave, they walked down to Virupaksha Cave. Mum Lioness was thinking, we have not been for Bhagavan's darshan for several days, her stride quickened slightly. Then she saw Bhagavan standing outside the cave.
"There stands my Father!", she thought, tears wetting her eyes.
"There He stands blazing like the sun."

The cubs broke into a sprint upon seeing Bhagavan, and Bhagavan broke into a wide smile.
Before Mum Lioness could warn them to be careful not to scratch Bhagavan, they were out of hearing distance.

They sat down in a corner along with some more devotees and visitors. Then they heard a rustle in the leaves of the trees outside the cave entrance. Everyone looked up.
"Hobbler!" whispered Om cub excitedly to his brothers. Uncle Hobbler had something in his hand which he was carefully carrying.
Bhagavan put his palm forward. Uncle Hobbler opened his paws and put something in Bhagavan's palm.
Tiru cub , the tallest, whispered to the others, "It's a bird!"

Bhagavan looked to His attendant and said, "Hobbler says one tiny monkey rescued it from a tree. It was stuck on a branch, and was crying out for help."

The attendant quickly got some medicine and cotton wool and water. Bhagavan carefully cleaned the bird. He wiped the wound, and then put a few drops of milk on its beak. The bird, almost dead, seemed to sip the drops. A few devotees said there was nothing that could be done for the bird, it was badly injured. Bhagavan did not reply, but tended to it carefully.

After the others went away for their afternoon nap, the cubs lingered on. They approached Bhagavan. The attendant tried to dissuade them telling Bhagavan that the bird would be frightened by the lions.

"Don't you know, Swami, that these are vegetarian lions!", said Bhagavan pointing at the four cubs, their complete attention on the birds. Unknown to the attendant, all this while the four little cubs had been praying to Bhagavan to save its life.

Bhagavan gestured to the cubs and they slowly made their way to Bhagavan. He held out the bird to them. Om cub came up and sniffed at the bird. Definitely injured, he thought. He gave the bird a little kiss on its wings. The bird opened its eyes and did not seem to be frightened at all. The other three cubs came up one by one and kissed the bird, and rubbed their cheeks lightly on it.

This time Bhagavan gave it little pieces of idli prepared by Mum Lioness. Surprisingly, the bird ate the little pieces. There was a deep look of compassion in Bhagavan's eyes.

"Even if the bird dies, it dies in Your Hands, Bhagavan", thought Mum Lioness.
One devotee peeked in and said something to Bhagavan that the bird would still not be able to fly, and what was the point of saving it.
The four cubs and their mother looked deep into Bhagavan's eyes so that He would not miss their silent prayer.

After kissing Bhagavan's Feet, and pressing their cheeks on Them, they slowly retreated, knowing that they would come the next day to see how the bird was.