The Pondstown Rescue

The adventures of the residents of Pondstown as they set off to rescue their mayor, Mr. Hopper, after he is frognapped by a Twoleg.

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Excerpt from “The Pondstown Rescue”:

But just then, most of those gathered around could hear the loud, steady, rhythmic beats of the feet of a frog moving quickly and determinedly toward them. Heads turned toward the sound of the unusually rapid movement coming up Gill Street. Noticing the speed of the leaps, it became evident that the sound had to belong to Ms. Leaper, the fastest frog in Pondstown. Obviously, she was covering a lot of ground with each determined leap. When she drew even with the booth, she stopped, panting noticeably while others gathered around to learn why she was in such a hurry.

Mr. Green moved over to her and, noticing the concerned look on her face, asked, “My, my, Ms. Leaper, you seem to have something on your mind. What is it, young lady? Why so much haste in getting here?”

“He’s been frognapped! And I was right there when it happened!” Ms. Leaper was still breathing heavily, a sign she had been hopping for some time at a very fast rate.

Mr. Croaker made a short hop up to her and asked, “Tell us, who is it that was frognapped? And where were you when it happened?”

Now gaining more control over her breathing, Ms. Leaper replied. “We were just over the small hill leading to Marshy Meadows, where the little stream flows, making notes on the growth of reeds along the streambank. I was in the middle of the reed growth just at the edge. He was in the water because he thought he saw some larva swimming there. And then, all of a sudden, swoosh, it happened. I could barely believe my eyes!”

Mr. Croaker put his left forearm on her shoulder in a fatherly way, looked her squarely in the eyes and said, “Calm down, young lady. Calm down. Now who was it you were with and what couldn’t your eyes believe?”

She took a few more deep breaths. When her breathing finally returned to normal she continued, “Mr. Hopper has been frognapped! I was with Mr. Hopper.”