I’ve always been fascinated by animals whether it be cats and dogs or wildlife. When I was about 9 years old, I remember going to a park where I found a tiny frog. Rather than let it be, I wanted to take him home and so I tucked him into my pocket. He wriggled around in my pocket during the ride home but it was only a 20 minute drive so I thought we’d make it.

On the way home my Dad discovered that there was a frog in the car. He pulled over to the side of the road and made me leave the frog behind. I left him in a field which was nothing like his old home. He must’ve been so scared and confused. I don’t know what happened to that frog but I’ve felt bad about it ever since.

Forty years later and I am still curious about the animals I encounter on my walks. I see all kinds of critters and creatures on the walking trail. I’ve seen birds, chipmunks, wild turkeys, mice, garter snakes, and lots of squirrels. I have received some strange looks over the past few years as I’ve been observed talking to the animals. I even make up silly little names for them. Yeah, I know, I'm weird.

As I have gotten older I have learned to have more respect for all animals. Sometimes the best thing is to leave them be no matter how much you think you’re helping.  If anything, the more humans interfere with nature, the worse things usually end up for the animals.  Okay, enough lecturing for one night. I’m tired and it’s time for bed.

I was out like a light the second my head hit the pillow. But after an hour or so I began to feel restless. I felt warm and so I kicked off the covers. It was really stuffy in my bedroom so I decided to open the window to let in some fresh air. When I stepped on the floor I noticed that I was standing in something squishy. Suddenly I felt myself being pulled down into a wet, damp vortex. When I emerged I was in a different world. How did I get here? And what happened to my skin? I had turned completely green! 

This had to be one of my bizarre dreams. Sometimes I have the wildest dreams that make absolutely no sense. Yeah, that’s what was happening. Or so I thought. I was in the middle of a massive pond surrounded by giant blades of grass, stones, and puddles of water. When I tried to walk I ended up hopping instead. The more I tried to walk like a human, the higher I hopped. Before I could plan my next move a giant hand scooped me up and shoved me into his pocket.

Inside the kid’s pocket were some candies, a couple of rocks and……ew! Is that gum? Gross! As the kid started to run around I was flipping and flopping inside his front pocket. I got bopped on the head a couple of times by the rocks. I had to get out of here somehow. But how? Then I remembered that apparently I’m part frog and so I decided that there was only one option. It was a long way down but I had to escape this denim prison somehow. Might as well jump!

I plunged into a pond below as I sunk right to the bottom. “Come back froggy!” the startled boy shouted. I had to try and avoid his grubby hands as he attempted to fetch me out of the pond. “Get your hands out of that filthy water!” the boy’s mom cried out. Whew! That was close. After the boy left I decided to explore the underwater world I had fallen into. It was a little murky down there but I could see everything. I had the entire pond to myself and it was glorious. And to make things even cooler, I could breathe underwater. 

Well, at least I could for a little while. Full grown frogs can spend up to four hours underwater. I wasn’t so lucky. I was starting to run out of breath so I had to furiously swim to the surface. It was just a tiny pond but I was just a tiny frog man. The whole thing felt as though I was swimming across an ocean. Finally I was able to make it to the surface where I struggled to catch my breath.

Before I could get to my feet, I was grabbed by a pair of big frogs. “Got him!” one of frogs shouted. “Let us bring him to The Lilly Pad where he will stand trial for his crimes” the other frog chimed in.
One of the frogs put me on his back as the pair hopped their way to wherever it was they were taking me. Geez! This whole thing just keeps getting stranger and stranger. First I turn into a human frog, get snatched by some strange kid, almost drowned, and now I’m going on trial? I guess it’s true what they say, it’s not easy being green.

When I arrived for my trial I was greeted by a boisterous group of frogs. They sneered and hissed at me as I took the stand. A distinguished looking frog wearing a golden crown shushed the hecklers before he read aloud the charges.

“Human, you are charged with frognapping, abandonment, and negligence. How do you plead?”

This was ridiculous. I was just a kid when I tried to take that frog home. In retrospect I never should’ve done it. It was foolish and I kinda felt back for that poor frog but there was no malice in my heart.

“I’m sorry that I took that frog out of its natural habitat. I was young and didn’t know any better. In my defence, I have always  loved and respected animals. When I see an injured or lost animal I want to help it anyway I can.”

I paused to clear my throat a couple of times before I resumed my testimony.

“Must’ve had a frog in my throat” I joked only to receive icy stares from the gathering of frogs. 

“Ooo, rough crowd. Anyway, I have learned that it is best to let nature take its course. And to…..”

The silence of the pond was interrupted by loud alarms.