In Rain, is it? An Unsubstantial Story
People who study hard, they eventually look like frogs—an old myth. They say, some turn into puddle frogs, some golden, some tree frogs, some big fat ones, some chameleon-like frogs, and some even leopard-spotted frogs. The most learned frogs are known to become Darwin’s frogs. And the variation does not stop here, there are more—like wood frogs, bullfrogs, poisonous frogs, glass frogs, and green frogs. Those who have a bit of that English flair—well, they’re the Western frogs. And those scholars who have died but are too wise to be forgotten yet—those are the ghost-frogs.
But I haven’t come here to classify frogs. I’ve come to tell you a story.
This is a strange story.
A seminar is taking place in a large University Hall, ceilings are really high, words spoken in the Hall are resonating in a real sombre tone. Eminent and learned individuals have gathered in the Hall to give unplayful lectures. And those who have come to listen—they're no less scholarly either … speech after speech is flowing. Outside, however, a storm has broken loose, fierce wind, relentless rain, and thunder crashing again and again. The lightning outside is almost blinding. It’s as if the whole world is on the brink of destruction.
The streets are completely desolated. Only a few frogs are sitting quietly by the edge of a pond, enjoying the rain and croaking out loud.
Meanwhile, the seminar has paused for a lunch-break. The hall doors open, but … unbelievable—a line of frogs emerges out of the Hall, of various shapes and colours. In a while they too start croaking together, marching towards the pond. Meanwhile the frogs near the pond become very excited. Slowly, all the frogs from the seminar hall gather by the water’s edge. Together, they sing! Joyfully in the rain. It is a marvellous sight. Though—no one is there to see it.
Then as soon as the rain stops, all the frogs vanishes, without a single trace, just like camphor.
A little while later, the hall doors open again. Out came the learned speakers and the audience. They had no idea about the rain. They hadn’t heard the frogs’ singing. But look deep, who … what are they? Their human faces … Looked exactly like frogs!
Postscript:
There was no existence of any frog in the recording of the security camera fixed on the Hallway. No trace of a frog was ever found.
Who they were—remains a mystery.
Original Story is in Bengali language
Title- Ekti Ashade Golpo (to be published)
Author. Smt. Subrata Dasgupta
Translated by Team Spout.