Many visitors to Wat Bowon can’t help but notice the canal that runs the length and breadth of this monastery. When traversing the bridges that crisscross the canal, one sees turtles basking on their raft, assorted fish, and an occasional monitor lizard. I have been asked the following question by non-Buddhist visitors: Will these turtles and fish end up on the monk’s plate for lunch? Absolutely not! Buddhists believe in protecting life, not taking it. As a result, Thai Buddhists buy various kinds of animals that are destined for the cooking pot, and release them as an act of merit. Buffalos, cows, chickens and even sparrows are common release animals. Or, in the case of the Wat Bowon canal, it would be eels, frogs, fish and turtles. Unfortunately, the unbridled, haphazard deployment of various animal species has led to a more sinister problem—turtles eating the frogs and fish eating the eels. This is exactly what happened yesterday when a 22 year-old merit maker released 23 frogs and a countless number of baby catfish. I just happened to be on the opposite side of the canal when this amphibious, would-be merit-making, took place. After the young man released the frogs and fish, he looked on, content with his good deed. Most of the frogs were just floating limp in the water, or had climbed up onto the wooden turtle rafts. But he couldn’t help but notice that one frog, in particular, looked as if it was very happy with his new-found freedom, and appeared to be literally jumping for joy in the water. Actually, from my angel, what I saw was a turtle, just under the water’s surface, chomping on the frog’s hind leg. Obviously, the turtle in question intended to eat French that evening, and dine on Cuisses de Grenouille, otherwise known as frog’s legs! The two young men just stood there, mouths agape, not knowing what to do. I, on the other hand, ran to get a stick that I could use to keep the turtle at bay, and rescue the poor frog. Needless to say, I worked up a sweat hopping around (sorry, couldn’t resist), rescuing as many frogs as possible with my bare hands. Some of them were uncooperative, playing ‘catch me if you can.’ I urged the others to find a net, or scoop, and catch the frogs that had taken refuge on the rafts, out of arm’s reach. When the frog-catching frenzy had subsided, the two young men came to me and asked forgiveness. I told them there was no need to seek my forgiveness. However, the frogs might like to hear an apology. The moral of this story is if anyone is thinking of releasing animals please do some proper research first and only release animals in surroundings that are harmonious with that particular species’ habitat. Or, if you know of someone who is planning to do so, please pass on the word. The animals will thank you for it.