Life of a Toad
Magically enhanced intelligence is pretty much useless when you spend your life in a pet shop.
I am a toad. I have always been a toad, and I always will be. I was born right here in Magical Menagerie. In fact, I have never in my entire seven month long life left the huge aquarium the store has to hold toads.
Sometimes people come to the store, but few of them stop to look at toads. All anyone ever wants are cats or owls.
But wait! A little boy and his grandmother have just entered the store. I am instantly drawn to the boy, his pudgy face glowing in excitement.
The boy is looking at an owl admiringly, but his grandmother pulls him over towards us toads. She tells him that toads are 'sensible, intelligent pets'. I like her already.
The boy is a little reluctant, but he seems eager for any kind of pet. As soon as he reaches our aquarium, he looks at me. I can tell he likes me more then the other toads. They are all mean anyway. His grandmother seems to approve of me, too. Is it possible that I have found a home at last?