'Jambavant's Little Cub' - SS (updt-pg.4) - Page 3

Although Jambavant would not admit it to his wife, he was quite worried about their daughter.

Jambavati had grown into a beautiful cub of 17 years. Well, the term cub' was no longer suitable for her. She was now considered a well-grown female bear, but to Jambavant she was still his darling little cub and always would be.

Jambavant was worried about her marriage. His daughter would soon pass the prime of her youth, and if it seemed none of the bears in their kingdom interested her. Who was the groom destined for her, and when would he come?

He knew he should leave his daughter's destiny to Prabhu Shri Ram. Ramji had never failed him before. The Lord had always looked out for his family, and he would look out for Jambavati too.

But a father's heart would never stop worrying.

He gazed at his daughter with affection, as she frolicked in a valley of wildflowers and rolled around in the grassy fields. She was so carefree, so energetic, so lively. He would only give her hand to the man who would appreciate her freedom and not attempt to stifle it. He knew his daughter would be unhappy in a house where she could not go outdoors as she pleased.

Turning around, Jambavant decided to let his fears rest and knew it was time to make his rounds around his little kingdom.

He barreled through the trees, ensuring everything was at peace, and was suddenly blinded by the reddish glow of some kind of gem.

What is that?' he thought, blinking rapidly and feeling his vision come back into focus.

In front of him, a great ferocious lion stood with a bright red gem held between his teeth. He growled at Jambavant, as if daring him to snatch the gem from him.

My little Jambavati would love this gem,' Jambavant thought, It is so bright and colorful, and she delights in collecting exotic objects.'

A little way away, Jambavant saw the dead body of a young prince, and he quickly surmised that the lion must have killed the prince for the gem, thinking it to be a piece of meat.

What followed was a ferocious fight between Jambavanth and the beast. The elderly bear King had not lost his strength in the ensuing years. He had fought many battles for the King of Kishkindha, Sugriva, and he had even fought in the great battle of Lanka, against Lankapati Ravan himself. A mere lion was no match for him, and soon the dying beast lay panting on the ground before breathing his last.

Taking the red gem into his mouth, Jambavant trotted back to his cave and saw Jambavati at play with her various trinkets.

"My little natkhat," he called out to her, "Look what Pitaji has gotten for you today."

"Oh, it is absolutely lovely!" Jambavati gasped, taking the glowing gem into her hands, "Where did you find it, Pitaji?"

"I fought a lion for it," Jambavant told her proudly, "Nothing is too difficult for my little natkhat. Do you like it?"

"Like it? I love it!" Jamabavati cried happily, nuzzling her father's nose with her own. "Thank you so much, Pitaji! I shall keep this safe. It is my most prized possession now!"

As she trotted off to her room, the murti of Prabhu Shri Ram seemed to glow with eminence.