So they say...
When Rama and the army of monkeys got to the sea, and couldn't get accross it, they built a bridge. As the monkeys looked for wood and rocks and things to make a bridge, the chipmunks took notice of the activity. They went down the seashore and they saw Rama's pain and longing for his beloved, Sita. They decided to help. The chipmunks ran down the seashore and covered themselves in sand and dirt. They ran into the sea and washed off, and then repeated the process. When Rama noticed them, working hard to make the sea shallower, and less perilous, he picked up up and started petting it. With his three center-most fingers Rama stroked the back of the chipmunk until the bridge was finished. Rama left the chipmunks are crossed the bridge to do battle with the evil Ravana, and to free Sita. And the chipmunk scampered away with three stripes down his back from where Rama had touched him.