The Boy and the Little Toad

The Boy and the Little Toad - Author : Aysel Banu YAVUZAL

In a small house with a big garden, there lived a boy named Sam. Sam was seven years old. He had light brown skin, short curly dark brown hair, and a smile with a little gap in the middle. He loved to explore the garden in his green rubber boots. Every morning, he put on his red sun hat and went outside to see what he could find. 1

One sunny day, Sam saw something hop under a bush. It was a little toad! The toad had bumpy olive-green and brown skin with darker spots. Its big golden eyes with horizontal pupils blinked at him. Sam crouched down quietly. "Hello, little toad," he whispered. The toad sat very still on a smooth grey stone. 2

Sam watched the toad every day. He noticed it liked to hide in cool, damp places. He saw it catch bugs with a quick flick of its tongue. He drew pictures of the toad in a little notebook. He wrote down what it ate and where it slept. Sam was very curious about his bumpy little friend. 3

One afternoon, Sam's mom told him something important. "Toads and other amphibians need safe, wet places to live," she said. "They can dry out if they don't have shelter." Sam looked at his garden. It was mostly dry and sunny. He worried about the little toad. Where would it go when the weather turned hot? 4

Sam decided to help. He found a quiet corner of the garden near a big tree. It was shady and cool. He gathered smooth stones of different sizes. He piled them up to make little hiding spots. He added leaves and pieces of bark. He worked hard all morning, and his yellow shirt got a little dirty. 5

Next, Sam dug a small hole and lined it with a piece of old pond liner. He filled it with water from the hose. Now there was a tiny pool! He put a flat stone at the edge so the toad could climb in and out. He added some moss around the pool to keep it damp. The corner looked cozy and inviting. 6

Sam stepped back to look at his work. The sheltered corner had stones to hide under, leaves to burrow in, and a small pool of water. It was perfect for a toad! He sat quietly and waited. Would the little toad find its new home? Sam crossed his fingers and hoped. 7

Days passed. Sam visited the corner every morning. At first, he didn't see the toad. But one day, he lifted a stone gently. There was the little toad, sitting in the cool, damp shade! Its golden eyes blinked up at him. "You found it!" Sam cheered. The toad seemed to smile its toady smile. 8

Sam was so happy. He watched the toad hop into the little pool and soak in the water. The toad looked relaxed and safe. Sam knew he had made a difference. He told his mom, "The toad likes the new home I built!" His mom smiled and gave him a hug. "You are a good friend to nature," she said. 9

From that day on, the boy and the little toad were friends. Every morning, Sam put on his green rubber boots and red hat. He went to the sheltered corner to say hello. Sometimes the toad was under a leaf. Sometimes it was sitting on a stone. Sam learned its favorite spots. He felt lucky to have such a special friend. 10

One day, a big rainstorm came. Sam watched from the window as the rain poured down. He worried about the little toad. Was its corner safe? When the rain stopped, Sam rushed outside. The pool was full, and the leaves were wet. But the toad was safe under a big stone. Sam sighed with relief. 11

Sam realized that other little creatures might need help too. He asked his friends to help him build more shelters. They made a bug hotel with sticks and leaves. They made a small pond for frogs. The garden became a happy place for many animals. Sam's friends were proud of their work. They all learned that small acts of care can protect nature. 12

The boy and the little toad remained best friends. Sam visited the sheltered corner every day. He brought his notebook and drew new pictures. He showed his friends the toad's home. He told them, "Amphibians need safe habitats, just like us." The toad sat on its stone and watched. It seemed to nod its little head. 13

As the seasons changed, Sam learned more about his toad. He saw it eat beetles and worms. He saw it hide from a curious bird. He made sure the pool never dried out. The toad grew used to Sam's voice. It would come out when Sam called softly. Their friendship was quiet and true. 14

Sam's garden became a beautiful place. Flowers bloomed, and butterflies fluttered. The little toad had a safe home, and Sam had a happy heart. He knew that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference. He was glad he had built the sheltered corner. It was the best project he had ever done. 15

And so, the boy and the little toad lived happily in the garden. Sam learned that every creature needs a safe place to live. He promised to always care for nature. The toad sat on its stone and blinked its golden eyes. It was home at last. And Sam smiled his gap-toothed smile, knowing he had made a friend for life.