Toad Sues God

Once upon a time, in a year no one could quite remember, the sky brought a terrible drought. The sun scorched the trees month after month, drying up rivers and lakes. All living things were left with no water to drink. The great and powerful animals who had once terrorized the forest now lay helpless, tongues hanging out, waiting for death. None of them could think of a way to save themselves or the world around them. Their strength had only ever been used to bully others, never to confront Heaven.

Only one dared to act: a small, ugly creature named Toad. Brave and determined, he made a plan. He would go to Heaven and sue God, demanding rain to save the earth.

At first, Toad set out alone. But as he passed a dry swamp, he came across Crab. Curious, Crab asked where he was going. Toad explained his mission and invited Crab to join him. At first, Crab protested, saying it was better to die here than to travel so far to confront the sky. But the animals around Crab had overheard Toad and began arguing back and forth, which made Crab angry. Arguing was his specialty and they dared to take that right from him? Furious, Crab changed his mind and volunteered to go with Toad.

A little further on, Toad met Tiger lying on his stomach, gasping for air, and Bear, who was drenched in sweat and thirst. Toad invited them both to sue the sky. Tiger hesitated, but Bear waved his doubts aside.

“Toad is right! Can we just lie here and wait to die of thirst? Let’s follow Toad! Even Crab is going—why can’t we?”

The group grew larger. After some time, they met a swarm of Bees drying up their honey and a Fox whose fur had been scorched by fire. Both were eager to join the brave expedition led by Toad.

Toad led his companions on and on, until at last they reached the majestic gates of Heaven. Their spirits had been high along the journey, but now, faced with the grandeur of the heavenly gates, Tiger, Bear, Fox, Bee, and Crab all trembled in fear. Only Toad stood firm. Raising his voice, he gave his first command.

“Now, listen to me. That is Heaven’s water jar—Crab, you hide inside. Fox, you go to my left. Bear, take my right. Tiger, stay behind me. Only by obeying my orders can we overcome Heaven.”

Everyone followed Toad’s instructions. Once all were in place, Toad jumped onto Heaven’s Drum and struck it three times—each beat thunderous and bold.

The Jade Emperor, startled by the noise, ordered the Thunder God to see what was happening. But when the Thunder God reached the gate, all he saw was a shaggy, unsightly Toad perched atop Heaven’s Drum. He returned to the Jade Emperor and gave his report.

Infuriated, the Jade Emperor ordered the Heavenly Chicken to fly out and peck the insolent Toad to death. But as soon as the Chicken appeared, Toad gritted his teeth the signal. Fox leapt out, bit the Chicken’s neck, and dragged it away.

Toad struck the drum again.

This time, the Jade Emperor ordered the Heavenly Dog to attack. As soon as the Dog charged out, Toad gave another signal. Bear burst forth and delivered a mighty slap the Dog died instantly.

Toad struck the drum once more.

Now trembling with rage, the Jade Emperor sent out the Thunder God himself. Armed with his lightning blade, the Thunder God could summon storms with a swing and shatter the sky with a blow. Surely this time, the intruders would be destroyed.

But as the Thunder God stormed toward the gates, lightning hammer in hand, Toad gave the signal once again. A swarm of Bees, hidden at the gate, flew out and stung the Thunder God's nose. The pain was unbearable his nose burned as though on fire.

Desperate, the Thunder God remembered the jar of water nearby. Throwing down his weapon, he dove in only to fall straight into Crab’s trap. With pincers like steel, Crab clamped onto the Thunder God’s neck. The god howled in pain, struggling so wildly that he shattered Heaven’s water jar.

Trying to escape, he stumbled forward only to be met with one final signal from Toad. With a deafening roar, Tiger pounced from his hiding place and tore the Thunder God in two.

The Jade Emperor, shaken, called for peace.

“What is it that you want?” he asked.

Toad stepped forward and spoke clearly.

“For four years now, the earth has suffered a terrible drought. Not a single drop of rain has fallen. Trees have withered. Living beings are dying of thirst. We beg you send the rain and save the earth.”

Fearing revolt, the Jade Emperor softened his tone.

“Very well. Return to Earth. I will send the rain.”

He added, “Next time, if you need rain, simply grit your teeth to signal me. There’s no need to come all this way again.”

Toad returned to Earth and the fields were flooded. From that day on, whenever Toad grits his teeth, the skies open and rain begins to fall.

As the old folk song says:

“The Toad is the uncle of God,

Whoever strikes him will be struck by God”.