"Squirrel" by C.S. Lakshmi (translated by Lakshmi Holmstrom)

 

Summary

"Squirrel" by C.S. Lakshmi (translated by Lakshmi Holmstrom) is a story set in an old library that explores the relationship between past and present, reality and dreams, and the transient nature of history and memory. The protagonist wanders through the dim, cavernous library, encountering an enigmatic old man, dusty books, and a mysterious squirrel that seems to serve as a bridge between worlds. The library, with its decaying books and forgotten records, becomes a symbol of lost histories—particularly of women whose stories have been marginalized.

 

As the protagonist touches books and papers, they experience flashes of past lives, such as female figures from Indian history and culture, some famous, others anonymous. The books seem to hold the essence of these women's lives, emotions, and struggles. The squirrel, which appears to relish licking the paste used to repair the books, becomes a symbol of the fragility and the fading nature of history. The protagonist contemplates how memories and the legacies of these women have been reduced to dust and decay, while modernity and the bureaucratic system neglect their preservation.

 

The story explores the tension between remembering and forgetting, the physical degradation of history, and the protagonist’s emotional connection to these forgotten women. The narrative, blending reality and dream, moves towards the revelation that the library will soon burn the books deemed no longer useful, underscoring the theme of inevitable loss. The final image of the squirrel lying prostrate as if in surrender symbolizes resignation to the passage of time and the erasure of memory.

Non-attachment is a theme that is subtly woven into the narrative of Squirrel. The protagonist reflects on the concept of non-attachment, referencing Krishna’s sermon about water rolling off a lotus leaf. This idea is contrasted with her own emotional attachment to the books and the history they represent. While the workers in the library remain detached from the contents of the books, focusing instead on their daily routines and meals, the protagonist cannot help but feel connected to the past. The story suggests that while non-attachment may be a spiritual ideal, it is difficult to achieve when faced with the personal and cultural loss represented by the decaying books. The protagonist’s struggle to let go mirrors the tension between the philosophical ideal of non-attachment and the human need to preserve and remember.