Uncle Stripe reminisces

Mum Lioness was looking for some special herbs for making a batch of Broccoli Bunches. She had confided in the cubs that the herbs would help the Hippo family lose weight and be healthier. And they made the Brocolli Bunch a lot tastier.

And so the cubs, getting a tad bored, came over to Unca Stripes. The cubs were insisting that Unca Stripes tell them something funny.


Unca Stripes thought for a long while and then started laughing. He could hardly contain himself. Finally, he managed to start talking.

"Several years ago, when our dear Annamalai Swamy was busy looking after the construction work at the ashram, I went over to have his darshan. Knowing how much and how lovingly he serves Bhagavan, I wanted so badly for the touch of his feet.

(Uncle Stripes' eyes were filled with love as he thought of Annamalai Swamy)

I saw him in the distance, and my heart stopped for a minute. Bhagavan was inside at that time. I ran upto Annamalai Swamy and fell at this feet. Just as I was kissing his dear feet, he began pulling me up. He was pointing to the hall where Bhagavan was sitting. He thought that I had mistaken him for Bhagavan!
He kept pointing at the hall, and I kept trying to tell him that it was his blessings I wanted.

(At this stage, Unca Stripes did not know whether to laugh or cry, so he did a bit of both)

How could Annamalai Swami ever understand how indebted we are to him for serving Bhagavan with such love, and believing Bhagavan to be his own and true father. How could I convey to him that the feet of the servant of the Lord, are as dear and beloved and full of grace as the Feet of the Lord Himself.

(The cubs were wide-eyed, imagining the scene of Uncle Annamalai and Stripes misunderstanding each other!)

I wanted to tell him that Bhagavan does not let us touch His Feet, at least you have mercy on us and let us touch yours."

* * *
Then the cubs heard a rustle outside, it was Mum Lioness telling them it was time to take Uncle Annalamali's lunch to him. And for the cubs that meant getting to sit on Uncle Annamalai's lap and sometimes having a nap by his feet while he meditated.

The cubs were thinking they would ask Uncle Annamalai his version of the above story when they met him today.