The Clever Calao and the Mischievous Frogs

In the heart of the African wilderness, there lived a remarkable bird known as the Calao. This magnificent creature was all black, with a strikingly vivid red pouch beneath its beak. Each day, the Calao embarked on exciting adventures, venturing into the lush bush to capture frogs and toads. These delicacies were its daily catch, and it returned home to share them with its beloved family.

However, the Calao's generous spirit was soon met with a touch of reluctance. It's not easy to serve someone else's favorite dish day after day, and so, the frogs and toads hatched a plan.

Lacking beaks and talons, they had no means to defend themselves, so they decided to retreat to the safety of the deep river. There, they constructed charming little underwater homes and lived in harmony, far from the Calao's reach.

The Calao, who couldn't swim or fish, soon discovered that its once-plentiful feast had vanished. Every morning, it ventured into the wilderness in search of its tasty treats, but its endeavors proved futile. Come evening, it returned home empty-handed, only to hear the cries and whimpers of its family, "We'll starve!"

Over time, the Calao grew so famished that it could barely continue its quest. Each morning, it dragged itself to its humble abode, where it remained, prostrate and sobbing like an orphan, lamenting, "I'm going to perish! My entire family will starve!"

One day, a friendly passerby named Zozani the Hare came across the Calao in this pitiable state.

"What's troubling you, dear Calao?" Zozani inquired, his heart filled with compassion.

The Calao explained its predicament, and Zozani, with a sly grin, shared a cunning plan.

"Here's what you'll do," he advised. "Early tomorrow, cover your body with soumbala and lay by the riverside, pretending to be lifeless. Let's see what happens!"

Following Zozani's plan, the Calao sought assistance from its family, who lovingly anointed it with soumbala and datu, spices known for their potent fragrance. The next morning, the Calao lay beside the river, motionless.

Zozani ventured down to the riverbed and conveyed to the Frog and Toad King that the Calao had met its end. The Frog and Toad King, however, remained skeptical and accompanied Zozani to inspect the situation.

Upon reaching the riverbank, the Frog and Toad King saw the Calao's lifeless body, wings spread wide, surrounded by a swarm of buzzing flies. He delivered a couple of kicks to the Calao, who didn't budge. Even after poking the Calao with a thorn, it remained still.

Convinced of the Calao's demise, the Frog and Toad King hurried back to the riverbed and announced, "Father! Father! Uncle Calao is indeed deceased and rapidly decomposing. If we don't hold his funeral right away, there won't be anything left of him!"

Without delay, the King called upon his subjects to emerge from the water and participate in the Calao's grand farewell. With joyous celebrations, they paraded around the "lifeless" Calao, singing and dancing:

"Uncle Calao is gone, long live the frogs and toads!

Brother Calao is no more, long live us!"

The Calao watched with amusement as they reveled and reveled until they dropped, intoxicated from their festivities. It was then that the clever Calao sprang to its feet, ready to collect the fallen:

"Some for my own hunger, and some for my family!"

As for those frogs and toads who managed to escape its wrath, they sought refuge in the river's depths, never to surface again, even for a joyful song. Those who simply couldn't resist couldn't help but peek their heads above water, singing their songs before swiftly retreating to the safety of their watery abode.

And so, the Calao remained the wise ruler of the bush, outwitting the mischievous frogs and toads with its cunning plan, and enjoying many peaceful feasts for years to come.