The Tooth of a Toad

The Tooth of a Toad [Ako r’Oghwokpo]

There is an Urhobo tale from olden times that captures a listener’s or reader’s imagination through its use of animals and allegory.

There was once a flourishing pond fed water from the excesses of the River Ethiope. The pond and its surrounding area were full of animals. There was more than enough food and comfort to provide for all their needs. Strife was not common among the animals for they had good lives.

A Monitor Lizard living near the pond was known for his evil ways, malicious gossip and betrayals against other animals that shared the area surrounding the pond. The Monitor Lizard found the pain and sadness of others animals exciting. That was his main daily joy. Hearing and seeing the animals cry, complain, stressed and sad gave him a strong much pleasure. He would smile or laugh at the distress of others.

His stripes, colours, eyes and movements made him look both alien and wretched. Yes, his unusual appearance must be the cause of his depraved behaviour and actions. He did not like hearing he looked like a snake.

Raising reasonable doubt or twisting facts were the essential tricks he used to deceive, harm and ruin the good names of other animals. Just for the pleasure of it and no one dared challenge him. Monitor Lizard had also in the past gotten too many animals severely punished and banished from the pond despite their innocence. Above all, he was a master flatterer who could easily talk former victims into forgiving and supporting him in his countless schemes.

Alas, the animals that lived by the pond would accept the Monitor Lizard’s evil ways. They considered it as inevitable as they were helpless against his tricks and control. Possibly, because they feared him. Well, a day of reckoning emerged. The Monitor Lizard’s reign of mischief had lost its force in a way that was first gradual, then abrupt. He undermined his own power over others.

The very action that is decisive wrecking Monitor Lizard’s reign was a small lie.

“Toad bit me, the Toad is such a spiteful and dangerous animal!” he said screaming, trying to turn the other animals against Toad. Toad had earlier refused to gang with him against the Turtle who had outwitted him every time they had a face off. How dare Toad?

Bemused and encouraged by such a thoughtless lie, Duck then responds.

“But Toad has no teeth, how can he bite you?” Duck said loud.  Monitor Lizard was surprised at Duck’s courage as she gets the full support of many other animals for her query. Up till that moment, the other animals were too frightened to endorse any challenge to his person but for Turtle.

Monitor Lizard now understood the folly of his fib against Toad. He also noticed the other animals felt spurred by how Duck finally exposed him for what he was. And he hated himself so much for it. He tried to fight back by setting upon to the Egret.

“Look, the Egret is here to spy on us,” the cunning lizard said.

But the Pond Skater would not have it.

“We all know the Egret comes and goes with the seasons and has done so since forever. He has never caused us any trouble,” said Pond Skater to Monitor Lizard.

The shock on his face showed deep shame he could not hide. He did not know how to handle is loss of control. With no face to hide Monitor Lizard could no longer say anything. Any lie or deceit he spins, the animals would laugh at with ease.

Notwithstanding, the Monitor Lizard tried to seek support from Salamander with whom he has a long love-hate relationship. Salamander feeling the liberation of the moment refused to make any foolish sacrifices for him. Monitor Lizard walked away from the pond a dark cloud of shame tailing him. The animals had thought he did not have a conscience but saw he could feel sad like he made others feel. This time the disgrace was complete.

The Monitor Lizard never returns to the pond ever again.

Tyranny also ends when the oppressed are ready to end it.

Be Good, not Lucky

Grimot Nane

Please take a look at my other short stories, Omissions According To Dara and The Near Death Experience of a Petite Man. Cheers.