Lizzy’s Big Night – The True Story of a House Lizard

It was a warm evening in Priya’s house. Priya was seven years old and loved drawing, eating mangoes, and collecting pretty stones.

But there was one thing that made Priya freeze with fright — the little lizard that lived on the wall above her bedroom door.

“Amma! The lizard is there again! I can’t go inside! — cried Priya.”

Her grandmother, Paati, walked over slowly. She smiled and looked up at the lizard.

“That is no monster, my darling. That is Lizzy. She has been protecting this home for three whole years.”

Fun Fact: House Lizards Are Harmless

House lizards, called geckos, are some of the most harmless creatures on Earth. They do not bite people, do not have venom, and are completely safe to be around.

The Scary Stories

“But Paati,” said Priya, pulling her grandmother’s sari, “my friend Rohan said if a lizard falls on you, it is very bad luck. And my cousin said lizards are poisonous!”

Paati sat down on the step and patted the space next to her. Priya sat down, keeping one eye on Lizzy.

“Long ago, people did not understand lizards. So they made up stories to explain them. These stories are called superstitions — they are not true, but people believed them because they were scared of what they did not know.”

Priya frowned. “So… lizards are not actually bad luck?”

Paati shook her head and smiled.

“Not at all! In fact, in many homes, a lizard is considered a good sign — it means the house is clean and full of life!”

Fun Fact: Superstitions vs. Science

A superstition is a belief that is not backed by facts. Many superstitions about lizards come from ancient times when people did not have science to explain animal behaviour. Today, we know lizards are beneficial animals.

What Lizzy Really Does

Paati pointed up at Lizzy, who sat perfectly still, her tiny golden eyes glinting in the light.

“See those big eyes? Lizzy can see in the dark. Every night, while you sleep, she quietly hunts mosquitoes, cockroaches, and flies that enter the house.”

Priya’s eyes went wide. “She eats mosquitoes?!”

“Dozens of them. Every single night,” said Paati proudly.

Priya thought about how much she hated mosquito bites. And here was Lizzy, eating them up quietly, without anyone even asking her to.

Fun Fact: Lizard Superpowers!

A single house gecko can eat up to 20 mosquitoes per night! They use special sticky pads on their feet — like tiny velcro — to walk on walls and ceilings without falling. Their eyes can see even in very dim light.

The First “Hello”

That night, Priya lay in bed staring at Lizzy on the wall. Lizzy flicked her tongue — flick! flick! — tasting the air.

“She’s not looking at me. She’s looking for insects.”

As if on cue, Lizzy darted suddenly — snap! — and swallowed a tiny moth that had landed near the light.

Priya giggled quietly.

“Good girl, Lizzy.”

Lizzy made a soft sound — chee chee chee — the little chirping sound geckos make when they are happy and safe.

“Maybe, thought Priya, pulling her blanket up, she is not so scary after all.”

Fun Fact: Gecko Language

Geckos are actually quite vocal! The ‘chee chee chee’ chirping sound they make is how they communicate. It is their way of saying they feel safe and comfortable. Each gecko has its own unique voice pattern.

Lizzy’s Secret

A week passed. Priya started watching Lizzy every evening. She noticed things:

•      Lizzy always stayed near the light, because insects flew to the light.

•      Lizzy never came near Priya’s bed or her food.

•      Lizzy was always in the same spot in the morning — her favourite corner.

“She has a routine! Just like me! She wakes up at the same time, eats her food, and goes back to her corner.”

Paati laughed her warm laugh. “Now you understand her. And when we understand something, we stop being afraid of it.”

Priya thought about this. It was true. She used to be afraid of the dark — until Paati showed her the stars. She used to be afraid of swimming — until Appa held her hand in the water.

Fun Fact: About Fear of Lizards

Fear of lizards is called herpetophobia. Most of the time, this fear comes from stories we hear — not from any real danger. Learning the truth about animals is the best way to overcome fear. Knowledge is the best cure!

Friends at Last

From that day on, Priya never screamed at Lizzy again. Instead, every evening she would look up and whisper —

“Good hunting tonight, Lizzy. Keep the mosquitoes away!”

And somewhere up on the wall, Lizzy would go chee chee chee.