Should not have gotten rid of that snake in the first place.

Originally Published on March 3, 2011. Update at the bottom of the document.

Points to Ponder:

All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons and daughters of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does it to himself. Chief Seattle/Ted Perry

Sometimes certain jobs/roles in organizations are deemed “less critical” or “not as important” by some people. They are taken for granted without a sound understanding of their place in overall business eco-system. Here is a story from nature that gives some clues to organization leaders and managers.

Cast Of Characters: Zena Doolittle *(Dog), Herron, Snake and Frogs with Koi as bystanders.

 Story Line:

A week ago, my wife and I heard some noises in the backyard. My wife thought it was a frog. We wondered where it came from until yesterday, when the guy who built our pond had called in for a casual chat and I mentioned this strange sound. He told me that the noise was tiny frogs that come in early spring and disappear in May timeframe. He emphasized, “They are part of a healthy eco-system around the fish pond.”

Now a few days later, we got many frogs. It seems that they are multiplying faster than the population of India and China. And now we have one big musical ensemble going on in our backyard. So far I am enjoying the musical (I must be, since I am writing this story at 3:33 AM) but my neighbor who is really sensitive to any kind of noise is not going to be happy. And this time I am helpless. It is Nature’s way.
 
In the past, my dog Zena Doolittle* used to bark around 10 AM. Since the neighbor sleeps late, he asked for a reprieve - and I told Zena to hold barking till noon. She complied, but I do not know any tricks to stop frogs from conducting their seasonal opera.

Now there is this heron that comes in to get the frogs. Zena is very territorial so she goes after the heron and between their chases, the frogs escape harm free.

So, two evenings ago, I asked Zena to go after those culprits (frogs). But she wouldn’t do it. She had an attitude like it was not her job, or the job was too low level (not glory ones like going after heron). This was a case of outright subordination - but I was helpless because, for now, I need her for other jobs. So I tried a trick. I threw the ball in the direction of songs that excited Zena to chase the ball and the frogs seem to quiet down. But it was a short term solution (band aid) because frogs returned to the stage after a few minutes, and I cannot throw ball all night long.

I have one big circus going on in my backyard every day. Such is an irony of nature.

I shared this story with well meaning friends and I have already gotten many suggestions for solving this problem some of which are in the blog section of this article.

 Reflection:

Last summer when I was watering around the pond, I met a strange character. It was a garter snake. I told him that he did not belong in my backyard (not valued). I went to get a stick and a box. He must have seen it coming. By the time I returned with the exit package he was gone.

Now thinking deeper about the whole issue, I realize that if that snake was around, the frogs would not be around too long or won’t make their presence felt loudly as they do now.  As the manager of this pond eco-system I failed to realize the role and importance of each party and broke the strand.

Alas! I should not have gotten rid of that Snake in the first place.

(Update April 5, 2018: After that learning we have accepted Garden Snakes as a part of our extended family and the eco-system is well balanced with Dragon Flies, Mocking birds, Humming Birds, Doves, Ravens, Sparrows, Butteflies, OPossam, Cats and squirrels and no more Frogs.....)

 * We got Zena from Berkeley Humane Society.  During the reference check, the Veterinarian in her English accent told us “she has no manners at all. You have your work cut out Mr. Shah.” So we lengthened her name to Zena Doolittle and I was given responsibility to convert her to well mannered lady (pet).

Comments

[advice from friends around the world (prepublication)]

1. Well, I certainly had a good laugh.. one challenge for you.. to make the impossible possible… One suggestion is to change the environment to fool them to sleep.. I don’t know if this is possible or not... Besides, I wonder if they hibernate? From a friend in Malaysia

2. Sounds like a wonderful addition to your gardens. I for one love listening to the croaking in summertime. It is a sign of the season, at least out here. The new circus must be a great source of entertainment for your family. J
Micro CEO

I know you weren’t requesting advice, but If the neighbor continues to complain, here are 2 possible solutions I would propose (in order of effectiveness, and if you have not already tried them…).

A.Invite your neighbor for a Sunday lunch and show him around the garden. He may gain a greater appreciation and understanding. You may also learn what specifically bothers him, and discuss more about what could be done (by either of you) to reduce his annoyance.
B.Purchase one of the latest wireless headphone sets with noise reduction and present it as a gift to the neighbor.

3. So interesting, nature is admiring, so I guess my take-away of this is sometimes let it be is a more effective solution , and Spring has come hehe A Friend from China

4. God created Adam and Eve to eat the frogs. NJ

5.Can't wait to see these frogs! And hear them too! =) RSACTOR

6. Agree.. it is a priceless gift to transform some sort of a conflict situation into a comedy and you have that ability.. Sam

[Management 101 advisor]

If you had kept that one Snake, it would have taken care of the first frog and no more issue. Now you need to go to store and buy few snakes to take care of much bigger problem. Penny wise and Pound foolish.

[Lee]

This is the best story of all times in Reflections.

[Amy]

Are the frogs safe to eat? It it does, then/maybe someone could go to your house and start collecting them, just a thought!

[Deb Webb]

Your backyard water feature is beautiful!!!
=)

[Malay Man]

I try to goggle about the method … and below is one of the interesting one …

http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/doctor/common.html#noise

under “How do I get rid of the frogs in my yard?”

I do not have frog by my pond (since it is under the hot sun) … but I do have spider building its web on top of my pond … dragonfly … and birds visit 

[Matt]

I am a technician. thanks for this story.

[Joseph P]

Two things are clear here. !.Lack of Systems Thinking. Seeing the whole picture could have prevented the problem. @. Solutions proposed by your well meaning friends are containment actions. Prevention is better than cure.
Glad you finally realized what could have Prevented such a big excursion. Not to mention that Snake could have multiplied too if Zena did not let that Heron in your backyard.
Real culprit here is Zena.

[Serega C]

Awesome Story.
It's amazing how things in nature relate to our business environments and how tightly this story is related to things that are done in business environment that causes other havoc.
Thank you Shah for sharing the story.
Keep them coming. :)

[Acharya]

There is an ancient story. Different parts of body started arguing with one another about whose role and place was more important. Heart said "I am most important because if I stop, you die." Brain said "H.ll No, without me you cannot think. What good is life without that?" Lungs said " But how can you breathe if I stop working?" And each one claimed the importance and glory of their role. At last, only one part was left and every looked down on him with disgusting look and asked, " What do you do you A..H.le that is of significance and importance?"
Said A..H.le, "Let me demonstrate instead of conference room claims." He stopped working (plugged himself). A few minutes later, lungs had hard time getting new air, heart started racing faster and faster, brain could not think without oxygen and other body parts started shaking violently; the entire system was close to breakdown.
They screamed " Yes, Yes we get it. Please stop. We know you play a very important role in the whole picture (to keep the body functioning smoothly)."

[micro CEO]

As a boy I once thought, If I could have 3 wishes, in addition to the 2 to be used for fetching fame and riches, I would like to use the 3rd for eradicating all mosquitoes (and flies, gnats, fleas, ticks, etc.) from the earth. How much more pleasant would a walk in the forest be without having to constantly swat at those pests.

But I'm glad my wish wasn't granted because other animals depend on those insect pests. Other plants depend on those animals. We depend on the plants and animals both. It's quite possible that a world without mosquitoes could result in a world with humans.

The earth itself has endured for 4.6billion years. Life on earth has proven robust, despite ice ages, giant asteroid impacts, and terrible droughts, floods, even plagues. Humans are the fragile ones and we would do best to remember that a disrespect for the ecosystem in which we live can only result in eviction of our own species.

So let's hope your neighbor can learn to welcome the frogs.

[NJ]

This is like a butterfly effect to me. Often time we want to achieve an end goal, so we plan on it; why, what, when, how, etc. But we can only do so much planning, preparation and ask what if? Usually, we either miss something obvious or don't have the vision to see beyond the 1st or 2nd level effects. If you enjoy the pond, then, try to think of frogs as the bonus and your neighbor and the snake as the next project. :-)

[Hannah]

you can always just buy your neighbor a nice pair of ear muffs he can sleep with why should you have to go out of your way to try and "fix" the frogs when they are only doing what nature intended for them to do i personally would tell my neighbor sorry but i can't control nature and you will just have to deal with it

[Bobby]

that snake looks so beautiful. did it really have that blue hue?

[IlliniGrad]

This reminds me to try and think through the possible ramifications of a course of action, either doing something or not doing something, and how it will affect the whole system. Not enough people think about the entire System and may make rash decisions that seem reasonable at the moment but might do real damage to the whole.

[SP Singapore]

so true... and with that logic, one can be so disappointed looking at the way people are destroying the mother nature irreversably

[CSL]

about the frog story, reminded of karma story i read some time ago, all actions/decisions you made in the past, will come to your some time... it is a like circle haha 😁

[S Silvin]

My wife did not like the arboreal salamanders and various small lizards in our atrium and yard. i told her that they keep the termites down and thank goodness she listened.

[Joalica]

A very vivid story of a mini ecosystem with lots of truth in it. Appreciate how nature becomes what they are today, and everything, micro or macro environment, will vibrate and come to a balance, as time times, and the time would come sooner if less interrupted by us human. Speaking to the solution, I really like the earlier proposal of inviting your neighbor over for an afternoon tea, and involve him in as part of the solution finder, Invite him/her for Empathy, and then Solution :-)

[Basant]

Full marks to you and your wife for living with the frogs and similar creatures right in your backyard!
Somehow, we could not go beyond a dog, and that too after our children got them a few years back.
Our biggest nightmare (in India) are the house lizards. We can not sleep even if there is one odd lizard indoors.
We immediately chase it out.
Basant.