The Toad’s Tale
By Dan Pratt
Published October 2024
Alex was struck by a momentary dizziness. Her trowel dropped from her hand as she sat back on her feet. She closed her eyes and felt the intense warmth of the sun on her face as it continued to beat down on the town. The drought had been ongoing for nearly 13 weeks and Alex had spent much of that time battling against the ever-encroaching barrenness in her garden. The mayor’s intense water rationing had made it all the harder.
Alex blinked her eyes clear against the glare of the sun and wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. She looked down at the ground and the plants that she had been tending, some defiantly clinging on to life while others wilted, succumbing to the drought. Initially, Alex had tried to save them all, but as the drought marched on, she had needed to make some tough choices, sacrificing those that were clearly not going to make it in a desperate attempt to save those that were still strong. It made her sick to pull plants that she had planted with her own hands from the ground, roots and all, but what else could she do?
“Excuse me,” a voice said from behind her. Alex tensed before turning quickly, bringing on another bout of dizziness and causing her to fall into the dirt. She got up quickly and dusted herself off before looking across her garden. There wasn’t anyone there. “Sorry to bother you,” the voice spoke up again. Alex’s eyes darted around the garden and across the top of the fence, searching for the source of the voice. “Down here,” it said.
Alex’s gaze dropped to the brown, patchy lawn. She gasped as she spotted the large toad sitting patiently before her. “Whaa…” Alex started to say before her voice choked off. The toad looked up at her for a couple of seconds before hopping forward.
“Allow me to introduce myself,” the toad said. “My name is Toby. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Alex took a tentative step back while keeping her eyes locked on the toad. She held her hands out defensively as her foot came down on her trowel, causing her to lose her balance. Dust puffed up from the ground as she fell heavily into a sitting position amongst the plants she had been tending.
The toad hopped forward again. “Are you all right?” it asked.
Alex was still stunned, convinced the sun had made her delirious, but answered instinctively. “Umm, yes, I think so.”
“Good,” the toad replied. “I know this is forward, but I need your help.” Alex stared at the toad while her mouth hung open and her hair messily stuck to her sweaty face. “You know it’s rude to stare,” the toad said.
Alex dropped her gaze as her face went pink. “Oh, sorry,” she muttered.
The toad hopped forward again, landing between Alex’s feet. “Yes, well, good manners are important for a hero.”
“A what?” Alex asked.
“A hero,” the toad repeated. “You know, someone who saves the day. I’m really going to need you to keep up if we are going to rescue the others.”
“I know what a hero is,” Alex snapped. “But why are you calling me one?”
The toad let out a sigh and raised one of its webbed feet to its forehead. Alex couldn’t help but be stunned as the toad became increasingly anthropomorphised. “Because you are the chosen one,” the toad replied with a sarcastic tone. “Now come on, we have to act quickly.”
“What are you talking about?” Alex asked.
“We really don’t have time for this,” the toad started to say before being cut off.
“I’m not going anywhere with some frog until I get an explanation.
“My name is Toby,” the toad replied curtly. “And I’m a toad, not a frog.” Alex felt embarrassed again and looked at the dirt between her legs. “Fine, what do you want to know?” Toby asked.
“What do you mean the chosen one?”
“When in need, the forest spirit will choose a guardian to help protect it. This time, it has chosen you.” Toby explained.
“To do what?”
“To save the forest, the other totem animals and maybe the whole town,” Toby answered.
“Save them from what?” Alex asked.
“Murdok the Malevolent,” Toby said with a grim look on his face.
“Murdok the…” Alex started to say before exclaiming “You mean Mayor Murdok!?”
Alex’s legs pumped rhythmically as she peddled her bike downtown. The sun still hung high in the sky, and she was sweating profusely. “Can’t you go any faster?” Toby the toad said from the bike’s basket.
“Why don’t you give it a go?! Alex snapped before smiling at an older couple looking at her quizzically as she passed.
“We don’t have time for this little detour,” Toby continued. “We must get to the forest before it’s too late.” Alex skidded her bike to a stop, sending up a small shower of gravel from the wheels. “Why are we stopping?” Toby asked.
“Because we’re here,” Alex said while panting. Toby pulled himself up and peered out over the side of the basket. Alex reached up and removed her helmet, releasing her messy hair, before dismounting her bike and pushing it over to the crowd gathered outside the town hall. Mayor Murdok, Murdok the Malevolent if Toby was to be believed, was already making his way to a podium, smiling and waving as cameras flashed. Murdok waited briefly for the overlapping questions of the press to die down before he started to speak into the microphone.
Alex waited patiently as the mayor made his way through the usual platitudes. Malevolent was definitely a strong word to describe him, but Alex did think he looked more sinister than he had during his swearing-in ceremony. He was wearing a full, black suit, beautifully tailored and immaculate. His hair and goatee were neatly kept. Alex noticed that he wasn’t sweating at all in the blistering heat, unlike the crowd, who were perspiring freely, even with jackets off and rolled up sleeves.
“As you all know, this drought continues to have a devastating impact on local agriculture, and the quality of life of our citizens,” Murdok said, finally getting to some kind of point. The crowd murmured in agreement. “This is why I have actioned my latest initiative, the creation of the Murdok Reservoir.”
“Here we go,” Toby said. Alex shushed him, gaining a look from a nearby journalist.
A projector activated, displaying a map of the town, and the nearby forest. “As most of you will know, there is a river that currently runs through the forest on the edge of town,” the mayor began to explain. “We are going to tap into this river as it bends closest to the town, and harvest that water to alleviate the pressure that this drought is putting on the town and its people.”
Mayor Murdok smiled triumphantly as the crowd began to murmur again. A few hands shot up and the mayor gestured to one. “Does this mean the forest will have to be cut down?” asked one of the journalists, jumping on the obvious ecological angle.
“Oh no, not at all,” Murdok replied in a reassuring tone. “Of course, we will have to clear some of the trees, but I have been assured that the impact will be negligible and work will be restricted to the area around the bend in the river,” he said as the projected map changed. An area of green around the river was replaced with grey, and an aqueduct ran from the river to the town.
The crowd continued to murmur, but the tone was taking on a positive note. “A negligible impact indeed,” Toby scoffed from his basket. “He just wants to destroy the forest spirit!”
“With this new source of water assured, we can immediately start reducing water rationing for the whole town,” Mayor Murdok announced to cheers from the crowd.
Alex pushed her bike away from the crowd. Once they were at a safe distance, she leaned down and whispered to Toby. “I still don’t understand, why is this a problem?”
“If he goes in and clears out that area of the forest, the spirit will be destroyed in the process. And once it goes, the whole forest will follow. Then, the whole town.” Alex had her doubts, but Toby certainly looked serious.
“What do you want me to do?” she asked. “Start a petition? Try to organise a protest?” She said while looking up at the jubilant crowd clapping the mayor as he waved back. “I don’t think we would get much support.”
“No. Besides, there isn’t time for that, the bulldozers are already lining up outside the forest as we speak. We need to move the spirit, and the other totem animals to somewhere safe,” Toby explained.
“If they can be moved, why doesn’t the mayor just move them?” Alex asked.
“You still don’t get it, do you? Murdok isn’t doing this accidentally, he is intentionally trying to destroy the forest spirit.”
“But why?” Alex cried, before looking around to see if anyone else had noticed her arguing with a toad.
“Because he is evil. And not human.” Toby replied.
“You can’t be serious,” Alex scoffed.
“Believe it, Murdok is a creature as evil as he is ancient, and he has been trying to destroy the forest spirit for generations. And he will succeed, unless we do something to stop him,” Toby said dramatically.
Alex’s legs were working overtime again as her bike sped along the road towards the edge of town. Her shirt clung to her body thanks to the day’s unending heat. Toby was still sitting in the bike’s basket, looking determined. Alex still wasn’t sure if she believed what he had told her. Part of her was still worried that this was all just some delusion brought on by the sun and dehydration. She chewed her lip as she peddled, indecision gnawing away at her.
There’s no harm in peddling out and having a look, she thought. The exercise will do me some good. It’s not like I will be able to stop the bulldozers anyway. The bike crested a hill, bringing the top of the trees into view. In stark contrast to the fields on the other side of town, and Alex’s own garden, the forest was green and verdant. Either way, something is keeping the forest alive, Alex thought to herself. And she was going to find out what.
Alex could see the collection of bulldozers idling at the foot of the hill, lined up ready to begin their assault on the undefended forest. She slowed her bike as it descended the hill, before bringing it to a stop at the corner of the fence of the last house on the road out of town. None of the mayor’s men had noticed her yet.
“Okay, what now?” Alex asked. Toby’s webbed foot went to his chin as if he was pondering her question.
“I’m not sure,” he finally replied. “My job was to get you here, maybe the others have a plan.”
“The others?” Alex asked, keeping an eye on the workmen.
“The other totem animals,” Toby replied.
“And where are they?” Alex asked, irritation showing in her voice. It had been a long day already, and it seemed far from over.
“In there,” Toby said while pointing a webbed finger into the forest. Alex sighed and dismounted her bike, before pushing it down the road, away from the workmen but parallel to the forest. She propped it up against the fence and quickly secured it with her bike lock before scooping Toby into her hand. Alex took one last look over her shoulder at the group of men, who had all turned to watch the mayor’s limousine as it glided across the road.
“It’s now or never,” Alex said out loud before turning and sprinting across the road and leaping over the trench that ran between the road and the green mound on the other side. Alex landed hard, taking care not to squeeze Toby in her hand. Pain erupted from her knee. Alex looked down to see blood trickling from a scrape left by an errant rock.
“Hey!” a voice shouted from behind her. Alex turned her head to see one of the workmen hurrying down the road. “Stop!”
The group of workmen all turned to find the cause of the commotion. Mayor Murdok pushed his way through and locked eyes with Alex. “Stop her!” he ordered while gesturing. The group of men broke into a run towards her and Alex set off into the forest.
Branches scratched at her bare arms, as she held out one hand to shield her face while the other held Toby to her chest. Rocks and tree roots threatened to trip her with every step. Alex slowed, panting, as the yells of the mayor’s men faded behind her. “Where now?” she asked Toby.
Toby had a worried look on his face. “I’m not sure, I’ve never come in from this way. I’m not sure where we are.” Alex let out a frustrated groan and sat down heavily on a nearby log. The shade the trees provided protected her from the sun, and she enjoyed the break from the day’s heat, even if she was covered in dirt and sweat.
Alex’s respite was quickly interrupted by the sound of something rustling in the undergrowth nearby. Alex and Toby’s eyes locked and she prepared to leap away from the source of the sound. The rustling got closer as Alex sprang to her feet. Her body tensed but instantly relaxed as a rabbit hopped into the clearing. Alex let out a relieved sigh. “It’s just a bunny,” she said.
“I have a name,” the rabbit said sternly. “And I am a rabbit, not a ‘bunny’.” Alex let out a yelp of surprise.
“Hello Rachel,” Toby said to the rabbit as he hopped out of Alex’s hand.
“Glad to see you, Toby,” The rabbit replied. “Your hero is a little rude.”
“Yes, I know,” Toby said. “But she is all we have.”
“Excuse me,” Alex snapped. Both animals turned to look at her. “This ‘hero’ is running out of patience.” Toby and Rachel looked back at each other. Toby shrugged and Rachel shook her head. Alex let out another sigh and rubbed her forehead. “It’s nice to meet you, Rachel,” Alex said with a forced smile. “Can you please take us to the forest spirit?”
“Much better. It’s nice to meet you too.” Alex was surprised to see the rabbit smiling back. “And of course, follow me,” Rachel said before hopping back into the undergrowth. Alex scooped up Toby and set off after her.
Meeting a talking rabbit did little to quell her doubts about her sanity. But she was committed now. She had to see this forest spirit. Maybe then she would be able to decide what to do.
Rachel the rabbit led Alex into a large clearing. The surrounding trees looked vibrant and healthy and there was a stream running through the centre. Alex was momentarily stunned by the tranquillity emanating from it. The low sound of babbling water calmed her instantly, and the sun’s rays breaking through the canopy warmed and refreshed her, rather than overheating her like it did before. She gasped as a huge smile spread across her face.
“You see what we are trying to save?” Toby asked.
Alex nodded in response, too overwhelmed to speak.
“Stay here, I will gather the others,” Rachel said before hopping into the undergrowth.
“It’s magical,” Alex said, finally finding her voice.
“Yes, it is,” Toby replied while jumping down to the ground.
The undergrowth rustled and a fox sauntered into the clearing, followed closely by a skunk. The skunk looked Alex up and down while the fox walked between her legs.
The fox’s tail curled around Alex’s legs seductively. “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” the fox said before winking. Alex stuttered, unsure how to react.
“Don’t mind her,” the skunk said. “She can’t help herself.”
Rachel hopped back into the clearing as an owl swooped down through the canopy. At first, Alex panicked, thinking it was going to try and attack Rachel. But instead, it landed on a nearby branch.
“So this is Toby’s hero,” the owl said. “Doesn’t look like much.”
Alex looked down at Toby, her eyes asking for help.
“Yes, well. Looks can be deceiving,” Toby said to the owl.
“I suppose,” the owl responded. His head turned back in Alex’s direction. “My name is Oliver, It’s a pleasure to meet you…”
“Alex. And it’s a pleasure to meet you too. All of you.”
“The pleasure is all mine, darling,” the fox said over her shoulder. “And the name is Fiona. I’m sure you won’t forget it.”
“And I’m Sam,” the skunk interrupted.
“Where is Barry?” Toby asked.
“Asleep. He was on night watch,” Rachel replied.
“What kind of animal is Barry?” Alex asked. “A badger?”
“No, a bat,” Rachel replied.
“What made you think badger?” Toby asked.
“Just noticing a theme.” Alex quickly moved on, changing the subject. “I’m sorry, but you said you were taking me to the forest spirit. Where is it?”
All the totem animals turned to face her. One by one, they turned towards the stream running through the clearing. Alex followed their gaze and saw a large rock sitting in the centre of the pool that had formed around it. The rock emitted a sense of calm, but also of vigour.
Alex had been unsure of everything that had happened to her since she had met Toby, but now she knew it was all real. This was the forest spirit, and she had to protect it.
“Okay, what do I need to do? Do I touch it to learn some kind of magic, or?” Alex asked before trailing off. All of the animals were looking at her, with a mix of humour and surprise on their faces.
“Did she say magic?” Oliver asked incredulously.
“Alex, if magic would solve this we wouldn’t have needed you,” said Toby.
“Oh. What do you need me for then?”
“To help move it.”
“What?”
“She is a bit dim, isn’t she,” Oliver interrupted.
“You dragged me all the way out here just to move it?” Alex’s frustration was returning quickly.
“Well, it’s not like we could do it,” Toby replied, looking down at his webbed hands.
Alex sighed and held her head in her hands. “Fine, how do I move it? It looks too heavy to carry very far.”
“Well, we actually had some thoughts about that,” Sam said. Alex waited patiently for him to continue. “We were thinking you could steal a truck.”
“I’m sorry, what?”
“Murdok’s men have a collection of vehicles on the outskirts of the forest. If we stole one, we could use it to transport the spirit to safety,”
“Let me get this straight. You want me to steal a truck, drive it through the forest, lift the spirit into the back and then drive it out of here. All under the Mayor’s nose? What a great plan.”
“Thank you,” Sam said, looking fairly pleased with himself.
“I was being sarcastic,” Alex replied.
“Oh.”
“What about my bike? Could it fit in the basket?” Alex asked.
“No, I don’t think so,” Toby replied.
Alex looked back at the forest spirit, drawn to its power. “I can’t believe I am even considering this.”
“We will help you,” Rachel said reassuringly.
“You bet you will,” Alex replied.
“Go wake up Barry,” Toby said to Oliver. “We will need him.”
The owl nodded before taking off into the trees.
“Okay, tell me the rest of the plan,” Alex said, hunkering down as the animals all gathered around her.
Rachel was leading Alex along a narrow path through the trees. Alex held Toby in her hands, being careful not to squeeze him too tightly. The other totem animals had scattered, each moving with purpose as they actioned their plan.
They crept towards the noise of the construction workers. As they approached the edge of the worksite Alex could hear the other totem animals breaking from the undergrowth.
Oliver was the first to make his move. He dive-bombed one of the construction workers, who threw himself flat, before darting in and out of sight, hooting loudly.
Barry was flapping around amongst the construction workers, who were flailing their arms in the air. His loud screeches had some of them covering their ears.
Rachel hopped between the legs of some of the workers. They scrambled to try and catch her, tripping and falling over each other.
“Get them!” one of the men shouted, and the group began to chase after the three totem animals, abandoning their vehicles.
“Now!” Toby urged, nudging Alex. “Go, go, go!”
Alex sprinted toward the nearest truck, her heart pounding in her chest. She glanced back and saw the men running around frantically as Oliver, Barry and Rachel continued to occupy their attention. “What now?” she whispered, staring at the truck’s door.
“Check the driver’s side!” Toby instructed, and she fumbled with the handle, relieved to find it unlocked.
“Okay, now what?” she asked, glancing back.
“Get in!” Fiona shouted, already scrambling into the passenger seat.
Alex held out her hands to let Toby hop onto the seat next to Fiona and prepared to climb in herself, but the door suddenly slammed shut, knocking her to the side. Alex turned to see Murdok towering over her.
“Not so fast, girl,” he snarled.
“Cover your face!” Sam yelled. Alex looked up to see him standing on the top of the truck, his tail raised and his hindquarters exposed.
Alex quickly turned, throwing her arm up over her face. Alex could hear the hissing sound of Sam spraying the Mayor. Murdok started to gag and retch as he fell to his knees.
“Good work Sam!” Alex cheered. She pulled the truck door open again, hitting Mayor Murdok in the face with it as she did. Sam hopped down into the truck.
With a shaky breath, Alex climbed in, her hands trembling as she fumbled with the steering wheel. She had never driven anything bigger than a bicycle. “I have no idea how to drive this thing!”
“Just turn the key and press the pedals!” Toby encouraged.
Alex’s fingers found the ignition, and with a twist, the engine roared to life. She breathed. “Now what?”
“Put it in gear and follow the path,” Sam instructed, pointing toward a narrow road that led deeper into the forest.
With a deep breath, she shifted into gear and pressed the accelerator, sending the truck lurching forward. “Whoa!” she yelled, struggling to maintain control.
“Steady!” Fiona called out, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You’re doing great!”
They bounced along the dirt path, and soon, they were back in the clearing where the spirit resided. Alex’s heart raced as she parked the truck near the stream, glancing at the rock that glimmered with energy.
“Now comes the hard part,” Rachel said, hopping up onto the truck bed. “You need to lift the spirit onto the truck.”
Alex stepped out, heart pounding as she approached the rock. She reached out a hand, feeling a warm energy radiating from it. “How am I supposed to lift it?”
“This is where the magic comes in,” Toby said.
“Close your eyes,” Fiona instructed. “Feel its energy. You can do this.”
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and concentrated. The warmth enveloped her, and she felt a connection to the spirit. “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” she murmured, opening her eyes.
With newfound strength coursing through her, she knelt beside the rock and, with a determined grunt, lifted it just enough to slide it onto the truck bed.
“Excellent!” Toby exclaimed, his eyes wide.
Alex’s heart swelled with triumph. “We did it!” she yelled, a huge smile spreading across her face.
“Now we just have to get out of here before they come back,” Sam reminded her, his voice laced with urgency.
“Right!” Alex jumped into the driver’s seat again, adrenaline pumping. She shifted into gear and pressed the accelerator, tearing down the path just as she heard shouts in the distance.
The forest blurred around her as she manoeuvred through the trees. Alex glanced in one of the mirrors and saw Barry and Oliver flying through the trees, keeping up with the truck. The other Totem animals were all huddled together on the truck’s passenger seat.
Suddenly, a figure appeared on the path ahead—Mayor Murdok, standing defiantly with a scowl on his face. “Stop!” he bellowed.
Alex’s heart raced, panic flooding her veins. “What do I do?”
“Don’t stop!” Rachel urged.
With a deep breath, Alex slammed the gas pedal down, and the truck barreled toward Murdok. She could see his eyes widen in shock as she drew closer. “This is insane!” she yelled, gripping the wheel tightly.
At the last moment, Murdok leapt to the side, but Alex didn’t look back. The sound of crunching leaves filled the air as she pushed the truck faster, heading toward the edge of the forest.
The trees thinned out, and soon, they were back on the main road, the town sprawling before them. “We did it!” Alex shouted, a mix of disbelief and exhilaration washing over her.
“Now we just have to find a safe place to put the spirit,” Toby said, glancing back at the rock in the truck bed.
“Somewhere hidden but still connected to the forest,” Rachel suggested.
“Somewhere you can keep an eye on it,” Sam said.
“What about my garden?” Alex asked.
The totem animals looked at each other and nodded.
“Let’s go!” Alex yelled, turning the truck towards home.
As they drove away from the chaos, Alex felt a surge of hope. Maybe they could save the forest spirit after all, and with it, the future of their town. And just maybe, her garden would be better than ever.
Dan Pratt Writes
Aspiring Writer & Author. Read my Short Stories & Microfiction, Creative Writing Blog, Lit Mag Roundup and List of Short Story Competitions.