Why Does the Frog Croak?

Once upon a time, in a dense jungle, where the trees stood tall, and the rivers gurgled softly, there was a wide, shimmering pond. The pond was home to a community of frogs, who lived peacefully among the water lilies and reeds. But there was one frog who stood out from the rest, known as Kaka, the loudest and most persistent croaker in the entire jungle. While the other frogs croaked occasionally, Kaka croaked all day long, from dawn until dusk, his voice echoing across the water. The other animals in the jungle often wondered why Kaka croaked so much.

"Why does he make so much noise?" asked Paru, the parrot, perched on a nearby tree.

"He never stops!" complained Nimbu, the nimble squirrel, as he tried to take a nap by the pond.

Even the fish in the pond would swim to the surface, flick their fins, and wonder, "What is Kaka croaking about?"

One day, the jungle council decided it was time to find out why Kaka croaked so much. A meeting was called, and animals from all over the forest gathered by the pond. There were birds, rabbits, monkeys, and even the wise old owl, who was known for solving the jungle’s greatest mysteries.

The owl perched on a low branch, his large eyes glowing in the moonlight, and asked, "Kaka, dear frog, why do you croak day and night without rest? We all want to understand."

Kaka, who had just finished a long croaking session, blinked his wide eyes and replied, "I croak because I must. It is in my nature."

"But other frogs do not croak as much as you," said Meera, the curious monkey, hanging upside down from a branch. "Why do you feel the need to croak more than anyone else?"

Kaka thought for a moment, then began to tell his story.

"A long time ago," he said, "our pond was not as peaceful as it is today. Back then, the jungle was ruled by a fierce and cruel snake named Raja. Raja was a cunning predator who preyed on small animals, including frogs. He was particularly fond of catching young frogs by the pond. We were all terrified of him, for he was swift, silent, and deadly."

The animals listened intently as Kaka continued. "We frogs had no way to warn each other of his presence. Whenever Raja slithered into the pond, many of us would fall prey to him. But one day, while I was sitting on a lily pad, I noticed something—whenever I croaked loudly, Raja would become confused. He would hear my voice, but he could not tell where I was. My croak echoed across the pond, and it made it difficult for him to find his way."

The wise owl nodded thoughtfully, understanding that Kaka's croak had a purpose beyond just making noise.

"So," Kaka went on, "I began to croak more often. Whenever I sensed danger, I croaked loudly, and the other frogs would dive deep into the water, hiding from Raja. My croak became a warning to my fellow frogs, and soon, Raja found it harder to catch any of us."

"But Raja was clever," Kaka said with a shudder. "He realized what I was doing, and one night, he came after me. He slithered silently through the reeds, and just as I was about to croak, he lunged at me. I barely escaped with my life, but I knew that I had to keep croaking, no matter the danger. I knew that my voice could save others."

The animals were silent, awed by Kaka's bravery.

"After many months," Kaka continued, "Raja finally left the pond. He grew frustrated with my constant croaking, and he moved to another part of the jungle. Since then, the pond has been peaceful, but I continue to croak. I croak to remind the jungle of the dangers that once lurked here, and I croak to warn my fellow creatures to stay alert. Even though Raja is gone, there may be other threats. My croak is not just a sound; it is a signal of vigilance."

The animals in the jungle now understood why Kaka croaked so much. His voice, though loud and persistent, was not just noise—it was a symbol of protection, a reminder that even the smallest creatures could make a difference.

Paru, the parrot, flapped her wings and said, "Kaka, you are not just a noisy frog. You are a hero, and your croak has saved many lives."

The wise old owl hooted softly. "Indeed, Kaka. Your croak is a testament to the strength of those who protect their community. You have taught us all a valuable lesson today."

Nimbu, the squirrel, who had once been annoyed by Kaka’s croaking, felt ashamed of his complaints. "I’m sorry, Kaka," he said. "I didn’t realize how important your croak was. I will never complain about it again."

The fish in the pond swam up and bubbled in agreement, thanking Kaka for his vigilance. Even the birds in the trees, who had once been irritated by the noise, now sang praises for Kaka’s courage.

From that day forward, the animals of the jungle no longer questioned why Kaka croaked. Whenever they heard his voice, they knew it was a reminder of the peace and safety they enjoyed because of him. The frogs in the pond, especially the young ones, admired Kaka and aspired to be like him, knowing that his loud croaks were the reason they could play freely without fear.

Kaka continued to croak every day, just as he had before, but now his croak was met with gratitude instead of complaints. The jungle was a safer, more united place because of his determination to keep everyone safe.

Years passed, and Kaka grew older. His croak became softer with age, but he never stopped. The animals still gathered by the pond to hear his wise words, and the younger frogs often asked him to tell the story of how his croak had saved them from the snake Raja. The legend of Kaka’s bravery spread far and wide, and even creatures from other parts of the jungle came to pay their respects.

One day, as the sun set over the pond, casting a golden glow on the water, Kaka sat on his favorite lily pad and looked around at the peaceful jungle. He knew his time was coming to an end, but he was content. He had kept his jungle safe, and his croak would live on in the memories of all the creatures he had protected.

As the stars twinkled in the night sky, Kaka took a deep breath and let out one last croak—a soft, gentle sound that echoed through the jungle, reminding everyone of the bravery, courage, and love he had shown throughout his life.

And so, Kaka, the wise and noble frog, was remembered forever as the guardian of the pond, the hero of the jungle, and the frog who croaked not for himself, but for the safety of all.