Welcome, dear reader! We’re in for a bit of a whimsical journey for this one. A touch of fantasy and social commentary under the surface. You’re sure to enjoy this one!

The foreboding clouds that had loomed over Kumasi throughout the day finally unleashed their pent-up fury as the clock struck midnight. Raindrops slammed against rooftops, tapping windows with a rhythmic melody that echoed through the narrow streets of the city.

As the rain intensified throughout the hours of the early morning, narrow alleys in Kumasi transformed into glistening streams. Puddles formed effortlessly throughout the city, reflecting the dim glow of streetlights like liquid mirrors. The city took on an otherworldly aura as raindrops continued to drop down like a celestial blessing from the heavens.

As the night wore on, the rain persisted, creating puddles that seemed to multiply like stars in the night sky. Each droplet that landed contributed to the symphony of nature’s percussion. For one particular deserted road on the campus of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, which had one huge glaring pothole in its middle, every drop of rain made its way to that big gap in the road, slowly but gradually building up a body of standing water.

In the pre-dawn hours, as the rain finally began to subside, a subtle magic unfolded around the pothole. Filled to the brim, it had become a water body of its own.

A temporary water body in the midst of asphalt.

A little pond.

***

As the morning sun cast a warm glow over the K.N.U.S.T. campus, the pond in the middle of the deserted road shimmered invitingly, bidding thirsty animals to take a sip from its fresh reservoir.

It didn’t take very long for the invitation to be accepted.

Four lively sparrows were perched on the branches of a nearby tree, their feathers still damp from the night’s rain. One of them noticed the sparkling water as they looked around for a place to fill their parched throats. He chirped, catching the attention of his friends, and nodded in the direction of the pond.

Excited by this discovery, they all immediately flew down and hopped along the deserted road. With a flutter of wings and excited chirps, they descended upon the pond, eager and ready to bathe and quench their thirst.

The sparrows took turns dipping into the puddle, creating tiny ripples that reflected the emerging blue sky. Their cheerful chatter filled the air as they discussed the joy of finding such a pristine water source after the rainy night.

“Ah, this puddle is perfect for a morning bath! Look at that shine!” chirped the first sparrow, Slate, dipping his wings into the water and enjoying the feeling it gave him.

“And the water tastes so fresh! It’s like nature’s own water fountain,” added another named Ash, taking a sip from the puddle. “Isn’t it delicious?”

“Slate, this puddle is a gem! Definitely the best way to start the day,” chirped Faith, shaking off water droplets with enthusiasm.

“Indeed! Indeed! This is just perfect!” agreed the last one, Raine.

As the sparrows reveled in their newfound oasis, chirping with excitement at the discovery of this new avian spa, the rhythmic flapping of wings approached.

They looked up, and the excitement in the air instantly vanished.

Three brown pigeons gracefully descended from the sky, also drawn by the allure of the sparkling puddle. The sparrows, mid-bath, exchanged wary glances and lowered their voices, their excitement quenched somewhat by the presence of these larger birds.

“Oh brother! Here come the pigeons,” whispered Slate to the others, shooting a cautious glance at the newcomers.

“I heard they’re clumsy as hell and always walk with an inflated opinion of themselves,” Ash remarked, eyeing the pigeons with suspicion.

The pigeons, seemingly oblivious to the sparrows’ reservations, landed gracefully near the puddle. They cooed softly amongst themselves, very pleased with the prospect of a refreshing drink.

The sparrows, having stepped out of the pond and were perched on the edge, continued their whispered conversation. “You know, I heard pigeons can be big bullies sometimes,” Faith gossiped.

“Oh, it’s true. I once saw a pigeon take over a whole feeding spot. He didn’t leave anything for the smaller birds,” Raine confirmed, casting a disapproving look at the brown intruders.

The pigeons remained unbothered, minding their own business and peacefully enjoying the puddle, while the sparrows stood nearby and continued gossiping quietly about the perceived shortcomings of their larger avian counterparts.

As the sparrows continued their cautious coexistence with the pigeons around the puddle, the atmosphere took a turn for the tense when new visitors emerged on the scene.

Two large pied crows swooped down from the treetops. The crows, with their sleek black feathers, white chests and sharp beaks, landed near the puddle with an air of nonchalance.

The sparrows and pigeons, already on edge due to their biases against each other, exchanged uneasy glances as the crows asserted their presence. The atmosphere became charged with avian tension, as the smaller birds and pigeons instinctively gave the crows a wide berth.

The sparrows, still huddled together, shared whispered warnings about the newcomers. “This is even worse! Those crows are trouble,” Raine chirped, her eyes fixed warily on the dark duo.

“Honestly! I heard they’re bullies of the highest order. A super unpleasant bunch,” Slate added, ruffling his feathers nervously.

On the other side of the puddle, the pigeons cooed softly, their feathers puffed up in a show of defiance against the crows. “We can’t let them take over our spot. Pigeons first!” murmured one pigeon named Nyx, casting a disapproving glance toward the black intruders.

The crows, seemingly unperturbed by the apprehensive glances thrown their way from the smaller groups, approached the puddle with deliberate and almost cocky steps. With a calculated splash, they dipped their beaks into the water, causing a collective shudder among the sparrows and pigeons.

They then stepped back, eyeing both groups of smaller birds cockily, almost daring them to attempt to make another splash or attempt another sip.

The groups of birds looked at each other, then at the other groups.

This early morning had just taken a turn for the unsettling. What was meant to be a place for refreshment and camaraderie had suddenly become a place of shared discomfort and tension.

And a face-off.

Sparrow against crow.

Crow against pigeon.

And pigeon against sparrow.

Oh my! Looks like we have a bit of a showdown in the making here…