There I was, happily playing in the garden with an innocent pick and a big patch of weeds fated to be replaced by carrots, potatoes, and a peach tree..

It was a great day for it.. Sun shining, ideal for the Naturism I adore practicing..

Anyhow, there I was, picking away, contemplating life the universe and everything, and wondering whether there wasn't possibly a less violent path.. Suddenly, up comes the pick, and to my alarm and dismay, There is a giant toad impaled on the end of my pick.. The biggest toad I'd ever seen at the time.

Actually, the pick has gone right through the toads head, and out through its chin. I feel quite sickened as I watch the big form flopping at the end of my pick..

Well.. after being temporarily stunned out of action, I pushed the toads body off the pick, and held the little fellow in my hands. Miraculously, it's head was still in one piece, but it couldn't possibly have survived - could it?..

I was living in France at the time, nestled in the natural chestnut forests of the Pyrenees, 900m's up, and far of the beaten track.. My friends who I lived with, had great faith in the healing power of clay, and it seemed at times there was forever clay lying around waiting for whatever cut, sprain, strain or pain it might next be needed for..

I rushed back to the house, and took a muddy fistfull..

Back in the garden, I put clay all around the toads head and neck excepting it's eyes, nose and mouth, which were all still in their individual pieces.. It's body seemed quite lifeless.

I carried the body to a shady rock next to the pond, and placed it upon it.. it all seemed quite hopeless really, as I had no real expectations that it was still alive. I left it there, and returned to the garden.. My innocent pick was waiting, but I didn't feel quite so innocent anymore myself.

Several hours later, I returned to the pond. The toad was gone. Doubtlessly eaten by some other creature.. These were days full of lessons.

Well.. Life plodded on.. seasons passed, and roughly one year later, I found myself once more in a corner of the garden.. This time weeding by hand around a pile of rocks and flowers..

Idlely, I upturned a rock to move it into what I believed was a more fitting position.. and there.. beneath the rock was this enormous toad.. I picked it up to move it elsewhere, and it was then that I noticed a large scar on its head.. Curiosity got the better of me, and on turning it upside down i saw.. Sure enough.. beneath it's chin, a similar large but everso slightly smaller scar..

I was quite taken aback.. This little fellow's pretty tough I thought.. But where does it keep it's brains?