Once there was a severe drought. There was little water in Tony’s well, and he didn’t know what would happen to the fruit trees in his garden. Just then, he noticed three men looking intently at his house. He was certain that the three strangers were planning to rob his house. He acted quickly. He shouted out to his son, “My son, due to the drought, money has become scarce. There are many thieves. Let us protect our valuables, and put all of our jewels in a box and throw them into the well. They will be safe there.” He quickly told his son to put some large stones in a box and throw them into the well.

The author uses the phrase "a severe drought" to show that story is set in a time when ___________.