Namdapha Flying Squirrel
Biswamoyopterus biswasi
Status: Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and degradation. Very restricted range in the Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Pradesh, India.
The Ramayana, the Sanskrit epic, is the tale of Prince Rama in his journey to rescue his wife Sita from Ravenna, king of demons. As Rama prepares to battle Ravenna, he calls upon an army of monkeys to help him build a bridge. The monkeys are agile, strong, and quick. They are industrious in their bridge-building, cutting and carrying large stones and working day and night to span the sea. A small squirrel, moved to help Rama as well, does his part, carrying small bits of gravel and pebbles. As a monkey trips over the squirrel, he curses the tiny creature and mocks his attempts to assist as foolish. The squirrel responds, "I am sorry for getting in your way. I am only helping in the way that I can. I am not large and strong as you and your brothers are, so I can only carry pebbles." The monkeys laugh, pick up the squirrel, and hurl him away. Rama catches the small creature in tender hands, and chides the monkeys, "Do not mock those who are smaller and weaker than you. What matters is the intention and the love in the heart of this little one." He then points out that while the monkeys have done a wonderful job with bringing the heavy boulders to build the bridge, it is the grit and pebbles that the squirrel has contributed that bind the whole and make it strong.
References:
Shri Ram Yogi Yug Purush : Volume - I. (2024). (n.p.): Booksclinic Publishing.