Once, in a sweltering hot day, Homi, the otter was relaxing in the sea. After some time he came out to dry his wet fur. Some young birds flocked around Homi and started laughing. “Look at his fur; they look like thorns!” “You look messy,” joked another bird. Homi was very angry with the birds and growled at them. The frightened birds ran towards the river and fell into it one by one. They cawed for help and fluttered their wings. Homi laughed aloud, “Look at yourselves, you silly birds.
Your feathers resemble spikes and you also have moss hanging from your faces!” The mother bird, who was watching all this from the branch, scolded them, “Look what happens when you make fun of someone else. His fur looks like thorns because it is wet. You must remember that otters eat all the marshy plants in the river and help keep the water clean.” The birds understood their mistake and apologised to Homi.
