Cow-baby needs a name and more local creatures

It's local creature week, I've decided. That's where I introduce you to some of the locals of a four-legged variety. We started the year off with the little black and white calf, who needs a name incidentally. I know for a fact that he'll end up with several names, because several people will think they named him, and all the others who think the same will smirk silently yet knowingly every time they think of that little guy because they know his real name. So we're having a naming contest. Go ahead, knock yourselves out. You may win absolutely nothing except the knowledge that you named a bull once and the name stuck. Winner will be announced on Wednesday. Why Wednesday? That's when Cow-baby will be one week old. That's for all of you who need landmark things like that in your life...And btw, I did conclude my milkman business the other day: I arranged with the cowshed to supply me milk. Maybe even from the little guy's mummy. How local is that? I love it. So now every evening (when the cows get home, Mommie Dearest), just after the cows have been milked, the cowshed will deliver milk to my door. Now you can sleep at night, knowing I've sorted that out...

OK, so local creatures week: I know yesterday was about rickshaws and rickshaw wallahs, and some might say that's quite insulting or abusive to call them creatures, some might say it makes perfect sense, but I've rather soundly concluded that two feet and three wheels make you a creature. I'm sure most mothers of toddlers will agree. So let's move on.

Today it's the squirrels. Or "those little fast and cute guys" as they're usually referred to. They're called palm squirrels and of course as with most things in India, there's a very wonderful story about them: specifically about how they got their stripes. When Lord Rama was building the bridge from India to Sri Lanka, all the animals helped; the little squirrels were working hard, and in affection Lord Rama picked one up and stroked its back with three fingers (that's him pictured stroking the squirrel, upper left), leaving a permanent mark of three stripes (only Indian squirrels have 3 stripes, usually it's 5). Don't try this at home: firstly, all power to you if you can catch one of the little buggers. Secondly, you are not God so your touch will not leave marks eternally on the backs of furry creatures. Get over it.
Lord Rama, as you may or may not know, was God, which possibly had a lot to do with the fact that he is the greatest ruler in Indian history and is still glorified in India today, thousands and thousands of years later. He and his lovely wife, Sita, are upheld as the ultimate examples in dharma, ruling kingdoms, marriage, duty, chastity, and all other wonderful qualities. Lord Rama was quite the warrior, and always held a bow and arrow. I imagine he wielded a mean sword, too, which possibly explains these photos of the squirrels (below). See, Lord Rama runs in their blood, so the things they get up to when no one is looking...well, if I hadn't taken this photo you'd never have believed me.

You believe me now, though...right? Right?? 

Right.

Happy...wait, what day is it?