It had become very hot that summer. People in the village stayed in their houses during the hot part of the day, refusing to step out till the sun went down.
But the animals were finding it very difficult, especially all the stray dogs and cats. The dogs were looking for a cool spot where they could roll in wet mud or dip into a pool of water. But even a small puddle was not available. The cats foraged for food among the dustbins and in the farms but could not stay out in the heat for long.
One day, the dogs decided to check the forest to see if it would be cooler. They soon came to a stream, but an elephant was drinking there. He was simply enormous! The elephant heard them whispering and, turning with a trunkful of water, he sprayed it all over them. The dogs were delighted. They requested the elephant to do that again and again.
Soon, it became a regular game for the elephant and the dogs. They would go to the forest every day and the elephant would give them a shower bath!
The cats wondered why the dogs were going every day into the forest. “Why don’t we spy on them,” suggested one cat.
So that day when the dogs went into the forest, the cats were following them; they reached a stream. The elephant hadn’t arrived yet.
They decided to sneak up on the dogs and surprise them. The dogs nearest to the stream stepped back in surprise and fell into the water. The cats were thrilled to see the dogs splashing and spluttering in the stream!
The elephant came up just then and, following his routine, he sprayed water over everyone. The laughter stopped suddenly as the cats got soaked! Cats hate water and they ran all the way back to the village.
Now the cats stuck to the dustbins and the farms and didn’t interfere with the dogs who were having a wonderful time in the forest!
