Finally, after what seemed an endless trek, we came upon the gigantic dry tree that had so intrigued us from t

Finally, after what seemed an endless trek, we came upon the gigantic dry tree that had so intrigued us from the beginning. Lo and behold, we saw an idol cut in its trunk: a huge, horned, three-eyed toad. Its googly eyes made it look both cruel and dumb, almost idiotic. Its muzzle hung half-open, sharp-toothed with several hanging tongues. Deep-brown streaks oozed from the corners of its mouth.