In the village of Oturkpo lived two friends, Cricket and Sparrow.

They never left each other even in difficult times.

One day, Sparrow and Cricket were playing in the bushes. The clouds suddenly became dark.

They knew rain was going to fall.

"Let's quickly make a home before the rain falls," Cricket suggested.

Sparrow agreed, "Yes, let's make a nest."

"No, let's burrow a hole," Cricket disagreed.

They could not agree.

Sparrow started building her nest while Cricket burrowed his hole.

The quarrel made them part ways. Each was busy making a home. They refused to talk to each other.

The windstorm was strong. It scattered Sparrow's nest.

Sparrow ran to Cricket's burrow. "Please, my friend, let me come in and shelter from the rain," Sparrow pleaded.

Cricket was warming himself by the the fire. He agreed and let Sparrow in.

"What happened to your home?" Cricket asked.

"The windstorm blew it away," Sparrow answered. She was trembling from the cold.

Cricket started laughing at Sparrow. He laughed uncontrollably till his mouth kissed the fire.

When the mouth healed, it became black. That is why crickets have black mouths.