The Kingdom of Frog

Long ago, before there was any sound in the forest or movement in any of the ponds, there was one old frog who sat on a high ledge far above everything that was below. Howard was a magnificent frog. He was strong though old and handsome, though wrinkled from his many years. Each day and each night, he sat and watched the beauty of the trees and the light that shone on the ponds and he was pleased with the beauty that lay below him. But something was missing. It was the sound of living things that was not there. He wanted to hear the sound of croaking that a frog makes when singing or the “Ribbet, Ribbet” when frogs were talking, the Crock, Crock that frogs make when they play or the Croak, Croak they make when trying to get some attention. So Howard decided to call out in his loudest Croak to see if there would be an answer. Moving to the highest point on the ledge, he took the deepest breath, expanded his large lungs and called out: “CROAK, CROAK, CROAK.” He listened for a response, but there was none. He tried again, in even a bigger voice and this time and there was a reply. “Ribbet, Ribbet” said the voice. Howard was so excited that he called out again: “CROAK, CROAK, CROAK.” And he heard again; “Ribbet, Ribbet.” Then he heard more voices: “Crock, Crock” was one; “Revvit, Revvit” was another. And “Croac, Croac” was another. Soon many, many frogs came to the ponds, life was full of songs and play - and it was good.