The Secret Life of a Backpack
Most schoolchildren carry backpacks filled with books, snacks, and stories waiting to unfold. But in the dense grasslands of eastern India, there's a different kind of backpack—one that breathes, clings, and cares.
Meet Bina, a mother Indian giant toad.
Unlike most creatures that lay eggs and leave, Bina wears her eggs on her back. Her skin forms little pockets where dozens of jelly-like eggs settle snugly. She may not carry pencils and notebooks, but this natural backpack holds her most precious cargo: life itself.
Every morning, Bina lumbers through the damp forest floor, careful not to bump into sharp twigs. She knows her babies need her warmth and protection. Other animals might see a bumpy-backed toad and hop away. But if they looked closely, they’d see tiny black dots wriggling inside the skin—little tadpoles, growing safely within their living nursery.
As the days pass, the eggs begin to wiggle more. The forest gets quieter. Bina finds a damp stream and gently presses her back against the wet soil. One by one, her young slide into the water, ready to begin their own journeys.
Then, just like that, the backpack is empty. For now.
Moral Reflection: True strength is often found in quiet protection.
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