Nurungukal….

   About a year ago a student from Chennai landed up in my farm with a quest for learning about squirrels. I was so fascinated in her enthusiasm to take up a subject, as part of her research study which at a glance seemed to be silly. But my curiosity gradually was intensified as she narrated the exact purpose of such a tiny creature on this earth. When she touched upon the point that squirrels are instrumental in seed distribution and natural propagation of plants in our neighbourhood, my interest in her mission was aroused and became inquisitive.

    Unknowingly my mind slowly wandered into the past. Scene …..one……As a bunch of boys and girls rushing to pick up the sweet little ripe mango which had fallen in the previous night from the granny mango tree, one or two pair of squirrels raising vocals in chorus from the lofty branches, as if calling bad names for trying to snatch away their morning meal

Scene……two…..Me in pursuit to catch a squirrel which had strayed into the central hall of our Nalukettu and as I managed to get hold of its tail the furry flowery skin snatched away and it escaped safely through the window leaving me in despair.

Scene……three…Squirrels carrying bunches of coconut fibre or other similar materials in their mouth to build nests in between the gaps of the roof tiles. On many an occasion helping the mother squirrel to retrieve her offspring which had fallen from its nest.

Scene …..four….Their great escapes on to the tree tops  from the hungry clutches of  cats or dogs and the following shower of noisy abuses.

Scene…..five……A school mate of mine fondling a little squirrel, concealed in his pockets and the tiny tot running all over his body to our amazement. It was rescued by him from a fallen nest.

Scene ….six…….Squirrels in play full company with a bunch of seven sisters ( jungle babbler birds ). In Malayalam we called them chavatila kili.

         And off course, although a myth, the tiny roll of this creature in helping Rama to cross the ocean in pursuit of Sita can never be forgotten. Its effort even earned a claim to coin a phrase in Malayalam. Annarakannanum Thannalavanath. I even now can visualise the scene which my Granny used to describe with all its tenderness, while reciting Ramayana, especially during the month of Karkitakam in Malayalam era.

         In recent time my wife has started showering lots of tenderness to this animal, by way of feeding them with water, fruits and cooked rice. It has become part of her house hold chores and I am fancied more by their acquaintance at regular intervals daily in our premises. In company there are a few bulbuls and sparrows. But these guys are very alert in scaring the encroached from sharing their ration. Their agility, tails incessantly taping the floor and restless hops will attract the attention of any passersby.  May be these traits are akin to their survival techniques.

         Strangely now I shudder to think about, even touching a ripe mango slipped from the tender hands of a squirrel, because of the recent revelations that a bite by such creatures can cause virus infection. But in our child hood days we always relished to enjoy the other side of the bite and remained healthy acquiring natural immunity. The famous song from a Malayalam movie, annarakanna va poovala changatham koodan va…stands testimony to my claim.  

          Once or twice in recent years, after the deluge, their big brother mountain squirrel strayed into our tree tops. Its visit was conspicuous not only from its long leaps from one tree to another but also for the loud calls and colour. I was much interested to know about its fondness to maintain a harem and its regular visits to each fiancee daily.

          I am prompted to post this text after hearing a talk by Dr. Nandini Rajamani an enthusiastic researcher from Chennai. It was very informative and thought provoking as I could understand to what extent the existence of even such a tiny life is important to maintain the balance of Mother Earth. Each such mechanism if in jeopardy can invite a break in our safety chain. So next time if you notice a squirrel hoping around your habitat, be sure your surrounding is healthy.

         Here I would wish to place on record my humble salute for the yeoman service a bunch of young enthusiasts like Mr. Vishnudas,an acclaimed ornithologist, Dr. Ratheesh, a vet. Etc. in Wayanad have under taken under the banner Cafe Scientific. All nature lovers eagerly wait for more and more such meaning full episodes from them………