The Toad Sues Heaven

No bigger than a fist, a bumpy little toad with purplish red skin sat hunched beside a puddle that was almost dry. Yet he was planning something bigger than the sky itself. He meant to climb all the way up to Heaven and demand rain.

The old tellers say that by then, not a drop of rain had fallen for three years. The fields were cracked, dry and stiff like an old hand. The streams had shrunk to their beds, leaving only white pebbles baking in the sun. The leaves shriveled and yellowed, fluttering down onto the scorching ground. Every creature was parched, worn out, lying flat in the shade and panting. High above, Heaven was busy enjoying himself and had quite forgotten to make rain for the earth.

Toad grew so angry at the sight that he ground his teeth with a sharp creak. "Sitting here waiting, we'll only get thirstier," he said out loud. "I must go up there myself and get a straight answer from Heaven." He picked a big taro leaf and wore it on his head against the sun. Then he set off toward the sky, one hop at a time.

After a while, he met Crab, crawling slowly along the bank of a dry ditch. Hearing that Toad was going up to ask Heaven for rain, Crab was thrilled. He raised both his claws. "Take me along! In the water, nobody beats me." So the two of them went on together.

A little farther on, they met Bee, buzzing about with her wings drooping from thirst. Bee heard that this small toad with a big heart dared to go up and sue Heaven, and she loved the idea. "Let me come too. Anyone who bothers me will soon regret it!"

Next they met Bear, sitting under a bare tree and clutching his empty belly. Bear stretched and got to his feet. "It's a long road, so I'll be the escort. Anyone who picks on Toad will have to deal with me." A little farther still, they met Tiger, lying stretched out with his striped coat covered in dust. Tiger gave an enormous yawn and rumbled, "Such a tiny toad, and he dares to demand rain for every creature. I'll come along for the fun of it!"

So the five friends set off in a line. They walked on and on, over bare hills and high mountain passes. Toad was the smallest, yet he led the way, the taro leaf on his head bobbing with every hop.

At last the group reached the gate of Heaven. In front of the gate stood a huge drum and a big jar of water. Toad stopped and told each friend to hide in a spot that suited their own skill.

"Crab, into that water jar. Water is the place for a crab," he said. Crab scuttled straight into the jar and lay hidden at the bottom. "Bee, hide behind the door. If anyone comes out, you know what to do." Bee whizzed behind the door and settled there quietly. "Bear, hide on this side. Tiger, on that side." Bear and Tiger each pressed close to one side of the gate and kept perfectly still.

When all was ready, Toad leaped up onto the drumhead. With every bit of strength he had, he beat three loud rolls. Boom! Boom! Boom! The sound of the drum echoed all around the house of Heaven.

Up on his high seat, Ngọc Hoàng, the Jade Emperor, heard the drum and frowned. In the old folk belief, he is the ruler of Heaven. He wondered who dared beat the drum and demand to see him like this. He sent out a heavenly rooster to look, and to chase the rude visitor away. The rooster had only just stretched its neck and stepped out. Before it could crow a single note, Tiger sprang from the side of the gate and let out a roar that shook the sky. The terrified rooster flapped its wings wildly and dashed back inside.

The Jade Emperor was puzzled to see the rooster come running back. Next he sent out a big heavenly dog to bark the intruder away. The dog bared its teeth and charged out. But the moment it arrived, Bear sprang to his feet and spread his great furry arms to block the way. The dog tucked its tail between its legs, yelped, and ran off even faster than it had charged out.

This time the Jade Emperor was truly angry. He called on Thiên Lôi, the god of thunder, to settle the matter once and for all. The thunder god came storming out with his axe and a dark scowl. It was hot, and after only a short walk his throat was parched. Delighted to spot the cool jar of water, he bent down to scoop up a handful. But Crab was waiting at the bottom. He reached up his two strong claws and pinched tight. The thunder god leaped into the air and howled. Just then, Bee zoomed out from behind the door and stung him again and again on the ears and cheeks. The god clutched his head and even threw down his axe. Hopping and calling for help, he scampered back inside, without a scrap of his grandeur left.

Now the Jade Emperor had no choice. He opened the door, softened his voice, and invited Toad in to explain himself. Toad was not afraid at all. He sat up straight and spoke out clearly. "Your Majesty, down on earth not one drop of rain has fallen for three years. The fields are cracked, the rivers and streams have run dry, and every creature is suffering from thirst with no one to turn to. We had to come all the way up here to beg for rain."

Only then did the Jade Emperor remember that, busy enjoying himself, he had completely forgotten the rain. He saw that this tiny toad had dared to travel such a long way for the sake of every creature. He felt both respect and tenderness for him. At once he ordered the rain gods to carry water and pour it down upon the earth.

Lightning flashed and dark clouds rolled in. Then the rain came pouring down, cool and refreshing. Below, the fields drank their fill, the streams began to babble again, and the leaves turned green once more. Every creature lifted its face with joy to catch each drop of rain.

Before sending the group home, the Jade Emperor gave Toad one more instruction. "From now on, little one, whenever the earth needs rain, there is no need to come all the way up here. Just sit down there and grind those teeth until they creak. When I hear it, I will send the rain down right away."

And ever since, whenever rain is on its way, the creak of a toad grinding its teeth rises from the garden and the edge of the pond. That is Toad sending word to Heaven that the earth below will soon need rain. The old folk loved that brave little toad dearly, and made up a saying so that people would always remember. It goes: "The toad is the uncle of Heaven. Whoever strikes the toad, Heaven will strike them back." Then the rain falls, and the little toad sits by the pond once more, his eyes half closed, listening to each raindrop patter on the broad leaves.