The common enemy - Grandma stories for the young -6

The sleepy-eyed toad looked up. The afternoon was hot and the humidity just bearable. He had a feeling that it would rain soon. After all, the north-west monsoons were nearing. The air was heavy with the scent of the wild jasmine flowers which usually flowered at this time of the year.

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The toad had been taking a nap on the edge of the lotus pond. He heard a rustle of leaves. One could never be sure. He looked up but of course, only saw the back part and not in front of him.

He stared hard but could not see any movement. He did not want to take any risks. He jumped and hopped on to the cement bench. The bench was cold and so it suited him. It was only a five-minute nap. He had to go fly hunting so that his hunger would be appeased.

Then he saw it. The slithering snake which was fast coming towards him. He jumped and hopped away from the snake and landed on a pipe which was kept for channeling rainwater. The pipe was full of dry leaves but the owner would clean it before the rains began. He knew he was safe but as soon as he started to close his eyes, he felt something nudge him. He saw a huge rat. He jumped but the rat reassured him that the toad was safe. The rat asked him if there was a snake below and the toad replied in the affirmative. The rat had wanted to take his children out for the first time. It was time to train them. He did not want the snake to attack his kids.

Toad replied that the snake would be leaving soon. He had heard the master of the house ordering his servants to cut the grass and lay granite tiles across the courtyard. Snakes would not be able to slither easily on such ground. The rat was happy to hear this news and decided to wait for a few more days. He thanked the toad who by now had fallen asleep.

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