As he turned the bend, the cubs ran out and immediately Om'ed themselves into huge 17 foot tall lions. Mum Lioness came running outside and scolded them and told them to instantly return to their normal selves.
(Truth to tell, she was probably quite frightened of them herself)
The cubs looked dismayed and Om'ed themselves back to their original tiny selves. As Mum Lioness went out of sight thinking this was the end of the matter, little Spotty insisted that the cubs at least try something in between, like 2-year old lion cubs. Spotty insisted he would take the responsibility if Mum Lioness got to the end of her tether.
So all four gave a glance cave-ward and then Om'ed themselves into 2-year old lions. Omcub went in for a really bushy set of whiskers, Arunacub decided on a large dark mane, and Tirucub on a large bushy tail with spikes. Spotty opted for two extra large teeth like the sabre-toothed cat. The four cubs loped across the hill. They spotted Sivaprasad walking slowly adjusting his sheets of paper looking as important and busy as he could when he walked past anyone.
Staying downwind they ran around him and got ahead. Then they stood behind a bush awaiting him. Om decided they would look larger if they sat atop a tree, so they took their positions on a tree.
(Huge terrifying lionses)As Sivaprasad approached Tiru roared. Sivaprasad looked up, and dropped his papers out of fright.
"We are the huge terrifying lions!", announced Om cub in a daunting voice.
"You cannot proceed!", roared Spotty bearing his fangs.
Sivaprasad stood rooted and speechless. Then he laughed and said, "I know the magic word."
"There is no magic word", said Arunacub.
"Ah, i remember it. It is ......"
"Yes?" said the cubs.
"It is ...... got it .... Arashaboom!"
"NO!"
"A ..... A .... Agapanthus!"
"No!", laughed the cubs.
"A ... Arkansas? .... Australia? ..... Ar ... Ar ... Argentina? ... Alaska?"
Every name he could think of was rejected by them.
"It's on the tip of my tongue -- what was the name of those cubs? er ... Spotty something, Om something ....Let me check my sheets."
But Spotty pounced on the sheets and grrr'ed at Sivaprasad and would not let him come closer.
(Tiru roars at Sivaprasad)"What is that in your other hand?" enquired Spotty.
"That I cannot give you. It's the most delicious thing in the whole world!"
"If you hand that over, we may let you leave!", said Tiru.
"Under no circumstances. I am saving that for my little daughter."
"A noble thought", observed Omcub.
"Its somethig called ... er ... yes Ramana Munch", said Sivaprasad.
Then suddenly Sivaprasad said, "Yes, that's one name - Ramana! I was told you would let me pass if I said Ramana! Tell me what is your name ?", he asked Spotty.
"Well, I don't really have a name" said Spotty.
"Who is your father?" asked Sivaprasad triumphantly.
"er .. er"
"Yes, who is your father? -- quick!"
"I can't lie. My father is Lord Aru--"
As he said that they heard a rustle in the distance. They all looked in the direction of the sound. It was Bhagavan Ramana coming for a walk!
Quickly Tirucub jumped down and explained to Sivaprasad, "Sir, we were not troubling you at all. We were testing whether you remembered the name or not. Now you will never forget the Lord's name."
"If we had not tested you, you would have forgotten the name, and let's say you really ran into a problem like say ... you got a blister or stubbed your toe... what would you have done then?" added Arunacub, a little nervous with Bhagavan approaching.
Spotty was thinking of hiding behind a bush but it was already too late. Bhagavan had spotted them and was coming close.
As Bhagavan came near, the four cubs fell at His Feet saying "Beloved Father!"
Perhaps Bhagavan knew what was going on, for He did not call their names. He winked and asked "How are you, huge terrifying lions?"
The lions were speechless.
"May I pass?", asked Bhagavan with a smile. "I do know the password. It is Arunachala, is it not?"
Then He turned to Sivaprasad and said, "Come with me, I will show you the way". Turning back, He said to the cubs "Give my regards to Mum Lioness Arunachala!"
Sivaprasad was a little confused. Maybe in a few days the truth would strike him. He quietly followed Bhagavan down the hill.
The cubs watched Bhagavan intently as He walked down till He went out of sight. Then they sniffed and kissed His footprints.
Tiru picked up a pebble saying Bhagavan had put His foot on it. "This is for Mum" he said. "Mum must be waiting, let's get back fast. And take this for Unca Stripes, Arunacub."
The cubs sprinted back to the cave each wanting to be the first to tell Mum Lioness what had happened, even if it meant a scolding.
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