A Flower for Frog
Frog was sunning on his rock when he saw something red.
It was in the long grass.
What is that? Frog wondered.
He hopped over to check.
It was a pretty red flower growing close to his pond.
Just to look at it made Frog happy.
âCome and see Flower,â he told his friends. âIsnât she pretty?â
âOh yes.â His friends liked her as much as he did.
âHer name is Flower,â he told them.
Chameleon sighed. âThat is a pretty name. It is easy to say. My name is hard to say.â
âWe like it,â Little Jumping Mouse told him.
âIt may be French,â Frog said.
âHow did Flower get here?â Raccoon asked.
They thought about it.
âMaybe a friend of Frogâs brought it and left it there for him,â Rabbit said. âI left a carrot at my friendâs house this morning.â
Squirrel scratched his ear. âMaybe a bird dropped a seed. And Flower grew.â
âOr maybe it was magic,â Frog said.
Frog took good care of Flower.
He gave her water every day. âI know you need water,â he told her. âFrogs do, too.â
The grass grew thick around her. Frog cleared it away.
âNow you can feel the sun,â he told her.
Every morning he told Flower good morning.
Every night he told her good night.
It was like having a new friend.
But then, something bad happened.
The leaves on Flower began to droop.
She was not bright red anymore.
Frog was so worried he could not eat. Flies and moths and no-see-ums flew across his pond and he did not try to catch them. He thought about Flower.
The next day her edges were brown.
She had lost most of her petals.
All his friends came to visit her.
âWe should sing to her,â little Jumping Mouse said. âSinging might make her well again.â
They gathered around her and sang a get-well song.
But Flower just stood, bent and almost bare.
âI am so sad,â Frog said. âWhat more can I do for her?â
âNothing,â Raccoon said. âShe has had her joy time. Now her time is past.â
The little possums began to cry.
Then Squirrel stooped down and said, âWait! Flower has left something for you, Frog.â
Frog wiped his eyes. âWhat is it?â
âIt is a little Flower. It has just started to grow. Soon it will be as big as Flower was.â
They all peered down.
âOh my gosh!â Frog said. âThank you, Flower. I will take good care of your little one â¦
âI will give her water and lots of sun. I will speak to her morning and night.â
He smiled at his friends.
âWhat is her name?â Chameleon asked. âI hope it is a nice name.â
âIt is Little Flower,â Frog said. âAnd I love her already.â
Frog Flies
Sometimes Seagull flew over Frogâs pond.
When he did, he stopped to float and talk.
âIt must be nice to be able to fly,â Frog said.
âYes, I go where I want to go. I see the world,â said Seagull.
âThere are things I want to see,â Frog said. âI want to see a cow. And a horse. I want to see lots of things. But they are far from my pond.â
âI can take you,â Seagull said. âHere. Get on my back.â
âReally? It will be safe?â Frog asked.
âAbsolutely. I have been flying for years. I have never had an accident.â
âAll right. This will be an adventure,â Frog said.
Frog climbed on Seagullâs back.
Raccoon saw them take off.
âCome back, Frog,â she yelled. âFrogs do not fly.â
Frog waved.
âThis one does!â he shouted.
They were going up. And up.
Oh, this was not good at all.
Frog clung to Seagullâs feathers.
âYou are pulling my feathers. It hurts!â Seagull yelled.
âBe careful! You are going too fast!â Frog yelled back. âLook out for that tree. You are going to hit it! If you are