Night had begun to fall but sleep was the last thing on Din Din’s mind. Din Din dashed to the pond as fast as his heavy legs could carry him.

“Dazel,” he yelled desperately. All the activity at the pond where Dazel lived came to a screeching halt. The frogs stopped jumping in the water and the insects paused flapping their wings. The creatures had all been preparing for bed.

“Din Din?” Dazel, the duck, squawked in puzzlement. “What’s the matter?”

“My brothers…,” panted Din Din. “I can’t find them.”

“Here, have water first to calm down,” advised Grandfather Frog who had hopped out onto the pond bank. Din Din slurped some water hastily where the pond’s shallow water lapped at the edges. Night had fallen and the only light came from the faint glow of the full moon and the flickering fireflies.

“I was supposed to take care of my three younger brothers for the weekend because my parents have taken my grandparents to the hot springs to cure their aching limbs. I took my brothers to my garden with me so I could keep an eye on them. I just left the garden to speak to Delma at the lake… I had hardly been gone for half an hour…but when I returned no one was there. Not my brothers, not even Kit, my garden’s caretaker, nor her kittens,” the words poured out in a rush as Din Din breathlessly tried to explain his predicament to Dazel.

“I need your help, Dazel,” he sobbed finally. “Help me find them. Maybe the jackals captured them? Remember the time........

© Dawn Young Magazine