MRS. HOUSE FROG ARRIVES AT THE POND

The next morning after the ducks went away, the sun looked down smilingly on the home of the happiest little people in all the world. The most joyful chorus ever heard rang out over the pond. Every frog, big and little, was hopping about singing lustily. The old bullfrogs sang in their deep bass voices, "Kerrump, ker-r-rump, rump, rump, rump, ker-rumpety, rump." Above them could be heard the high, clear tenor voices of the tree frogs as they sang, "Ker-rump, ker, ker-rump, ker-r-r-rumpety rump." And the young bullfrogs kept time with the others in the squeakiest of tones, saying, "Ker-ker, ker-rump, ker-ker, ker-rump." Even Mrs. Toad and the mother frogs, who, we know, haven't much music in them, were making a brave attempt to say, "Ker-rump."

A neighbor bobolink swinging on a tall cat-tail sang, "Bobolink, bobolink, spink, spank, spink." When the swaying cat-tail bent down near the water, Mr. Bobolink tipped way over as if about to fall off, and called, "Chee, chee, chee!" All the other little birds about the pond sang and sang until it seemed as if their tiny throats would burst.

The soft summer breezes whispered merrily through the tall, nodding treetops. The little flowers bowed and smiled to their neighbors. The pond lilies lifted their beautiful faces a little higher and trembled for joy. The tall cat-tails waved their handsome brown heads to show that they, too, were glad. Even the rocky old cliff beamed with happiness as he looked down on the beautiful little lake which lay shining in the morning sun. Every little creature seemed bubbling over with joy. Each one in his own way seemed to praise God and give thanks that he was alive and that his home was safe once more. Doesn't it seem strange that when the ducks were so happy the frogs were so miserable? Now the frogs were happier than they had ever been before, and the poor ducks were somewhere in the woods sighing and calling over and over again for their lost babies. Some folks just can't live happily together.

Mrs. House Frog came hurrying through the deep woods. Long before she reached the pond she had heard the singing of the frogs. She knew this must be the place the Lark had told her about. She panted a little as the frogs all crowded about her. Everyone wanted to know who she was, where she came from, and what she was like. Old Grandfather Bull Frog made them all stand back so she might have a chance to speak.

"I am called a house frog," she said, "and I came from a land far across the big ocean. It is the land of Australia. You can see I am not at all handsome. My clothes, although quite plain, are good for traveling. I find that as I look so much like the leaves I am not easily seen."

The frogs did not wait for Mrs. House Frog to tell any more of her story, as everyone was so anxious to tell her about the ducks and how the John Bull Frogs had driven them away. Near the edge of the crowd sat Mr. and Mrs. John Bull Frog smiling and looking greatly pleased with themselves. They were too modest to boast of what they had done, but it made them proud and happy to hear others tell it. Everybody was talking at once. There was such a chatter that Mrs. House Frog could hardly tell what they were saying. Even old Blackie the Crow was screaming, "Caw, caw, caw," right over their heads. He too, was trying to tell the exciting story. Grandfather Bull Frog shook his wise old head at so much noise. He clapped his hands loudly. Standing up, he beckoned to the crowd, calling for order in deep bass tones. Soon he was able to quiet the frogs. When they stopped talking and their eyes were fixed on him, he turned to Mrs. House Frog with a kindly smile on his handsome old face and said real politely and with a graceful bow, "Mrs. House Frog, you may, if you like, live under the old log just over there."

Looking toward where he pointed, Mrs. House Frog said very pleasantly that she would be delighted to have such a fine home. Bully was very happy when he heard this, for he felt that he would like Mrs. House Frog, and he was glad her home was to be where he could see her often. He went with her to her new house, and while she was resting asked her to tell him why she was called a house frog.