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But the Woodpecker fluffed up his feathers and answered: "Your Worship, 1 heard the Frog in the rice field going Kwak ... KWAK ... KWA.. K... and I said to myself ... 'There must be an earthquake coming, listen to the Frog. So i pass on the warning.'

So the Mayor, who was now getting pretty fed up, calls the Frog. The Frog hops up to the Mayor, makes a bow and says ... I know why you sent for me, but, so help me, I was only trying to stop the Big Black Beetle from carrying loads of filth down the street. Most unhygienic I must say."

"Oh", says the Mayor, popping a wad of betel nut in his mouth, "Wait till I have a word with Big Black Beetle".

Now, when the Beetle crawled into the Mayor's office, he was very upset. "My Mayor," he says, wiping his feelers humbly on the carpet, "It's obvious I can't please everyone. Do you think it is any

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pleasure for me to carry filth down the road? Far from it - but someone has to clear up after the Water Buffalo has dropped a pat in the middle of the road."

"So that's it", roars the Mayor, who fears he will be late for the Kecak Dance in the next village. "Bring in the Water Buffalo" When the Water Buffalo came to the Mayor, he was so mad, his horns were twitching - particularly the left one. "So that's all the thanks 1 get for filling up a " Do it yourself next time the Rain hole in the road," he snorted. Washes one of the stones away."

Of course, the Mayor had to Speak to the Rain - but the Rain was so cross he spat hailstones at the Mayor.

i like that", thundered the Rain. "For weeks the Geko's been making offerings to the gods to send rain - because without rain there are no mosquitoes - and without mosquitoes the Geko goes hungry. Speak to the Geko and leave me alone." And the Rain departed in a flash of lightning.

When the Geko returned, the Mayor looked at him sternly and said:

"Go, and live at peace with your neighbors - for all of us have our problems."