Gopu and Meena’s behaviour changed; their laughter replaced by a sombre tone. Observing them, Radha felt their sadness deeply. A lesson in empathy was taught that day as she said, “Understanding others’ feelings is the first step to resolving problems.”
Soon, the pond’s once-crystal-clear waters began to turn murky. Radha knew something had to be done. “Something is wrong with our pond; we must find out what’s happening,” she urged her friends.
She and her friends decided to get to the bottom of it.
They spoke to Gopu and Meena separately. Radha listened attentively, picking up the sadness in their voices and faces—a moment of empathy. She soon realised the stories were oddly similar and full of hearsay. “If the words haven’t come directly from them, something else is afoot,” she thought.
Hiding behind a large banyan tree, Radha and her friends observed the pond closely. They watched Tinku swim from one end to the other, talking to different animals before looking back at Gopu and Meena, who were avoiding each other. Radha connected the dots. “Aha! It’s Tinku who is sowing seeds of discord,” she whispered, her eyes widening with revelation.
A plan was hatched to expose Tinku. Radha decided to hold a ‘Friendship Gathering’ by the pond. Tinku, not missing a chance to stoke the fire, began to speak. But Radha interrupted, “Tinku, why not share what you’ve told Gopu and Meena? True friendships should be transparent.”
Tinku’s face went pale; he realised he had been caught. For a split second, his eyes met those of every animal and child around the pond—a collective moment of revelation for the community.
“You’ve twisted our words and thoughts to serve your wicked intentions!” Gopu croaked angrily.
“You’re no friend of ours!” Meena chimed in.
