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¡I pond! –It’s just that the lake is a bit far and my five little ducklings are very thirsty! –explained Mama Duck again. –Baaaaaastaaa! –grumbled the toad and opened his mouth so wide that the five ducklings started to cry. –You selfish toad! One day you’ll regret it! –said the angry duck and continued on her way.
The toad went back to settle down for his nap, but he only closed one eye and kept the other open to watch over his pond. Suddenly, a “PLAF!” was heard in the water and a bunch of droplets fell on him, waking him up. –Hello Mr. Toad! –greeted a lovely frog while splashing around. –Get out of my pond right now! –shouted the toad. –Oh, what a bad temper! Can I at least have a little water? –Nooo! I already told you no. –You’ll regret it, selfish toad! –said the frog and skipped away.
The toad was settling down again when two birds approached. Before they could dip their beaks into the water to take a sip, the toad jumped high and with his ugly, raspy voice shouted: –I don’t want any more annoying visitors! This is my pond! Have you heard me? My pond! –he shouted even louder. The birds flew away. The lake was a bit far, but it was worth it to get there, where the duck, the ducklings, the frog, and the birds drank water and played happily.
The toad was left alone, taking his nap. It was getting hotter and hotter. So hot that the pond dried up. The toad woke up and felt very, very thirsty: –My pond has disappeared! I’m going to die of heat and thirst! I was a foolish, selfish, grumpy toad! –he lamented and, ashamed, started to cry. His crying was so loud that it could be heard even at the lake, where all the little animals were playing happily. –The selfish toad is crying! –shouted the frog. –Let’s see what’s wrong with him! –said Mama Duck.
Everyone ran and when they arrived, they saw that the pond was gone and that the selfish toad now looked sad and sick. –We’ll take you to the lake, –said the frog. –Will you take me with you? –asked the surprised toad. –Yes, –said Mama Duck, –It’s not right to leave you alone here, dying of thirst and heat. –It’s just that I was a very bad toad. You shouldn’t be nice to me. –We think you’ve already learned your lesson, –said the birds. –You’re right, from now on I will never be selfish again. You’ve taught me how important and beautiful it is to share. Thank you, friends! And so they all went together to enjoy the fresh water of the lake.
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