'Tope, Tope' in the Dark Dark Night

A Bhilala version of a popular Indian folktale

A flock of sparrows was pecking about for grain in a farm that lay close to a forest. They had heard there were lions wandering about in that forest and they did not really want to meet one, so they were a little nervous and jumpy though enjoying their morning meal.

Suddenly one of them squeaked in fright. Something greyish green and long-tailed scurrie…