Krotoa, Mother Termite, lived in the largest termite mound, in Namibia. Her mound was taller than an acacia tree, and her hive almost as deep as its roots, underground. Mother Termite was worried. The air in the mound felt dry, dusty and hot. ''Why is the air so dry?'' She asked one of the termite generals who was responsible for defending the mound against invaders and predators. ''It has not rained for a long time, Mother,'' he answered. Krotoa, who spent most her days underground, asked: ''A long time?'' ''Yes, Mother,'' the general replied. ''The rain has not come for many, many seasons.'' Many, many seasons of no rain was a long time, indeed. Krotoa summoned one her loyal termite workers who was responsible for building and maintaining the mound. The workers also kept it moist, cool, and fed the termite larvae. ''Have ...