The Toad Whisperers

Meet one of the garden professionals in charge of insect removal on my quiet acre. In this photo, the toad is enjoying a shady nook by the chimney on the north side of my house. You might guess from the photo that this is a large toad, but it's not; it's not much more than an inch long.

It's been a hot and dry two days, and my husband insisted the toad needed a drink. So he filled a plastic peanut butter jar lid with cool, clean water and placed it in the vicinity where we found the toad.

I have also placed a small toad house on the sunny south side of the house near the butterfly garden. I've never seen a toad or frog actually occupy it, but I like the thought that one could, if it wanted to. I wouldn't mind having a toad as a tenant.

A few years ago, I bought a weed whacker to make the weed removal easier and faster. But the first time I used it, I worried about what it might do to a harmless creature, such as a frog or toad, in the grass. That concern led me to abandon the weed whacker; I now do all my weeding by hand, so that no creature shall be harmed. Also, I admit I take some small satisfaction in engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the weeds.

The Chinese believe that a toad is a symbol of good luck. And so, if we offer our best hospitality to this toad (cool water, a toad house, freedom from weed whackers), and the toad is pleased and stays, might he (or she) reward our tokens of hospitality with increased good luck . . . ?