The Boy and the Little Frog

The Boy and the Little Frog - Author : Aysel Banu YAVUZAL

Once there was a boy named Sam who loved the pond at the end of his street. Every morning, he pulled on his green rubber boots and walked down the grassy path. He carried a small notebook in his canvas satchel to draw the frogs he saw. Sam had warm light-brown skin, curly black hair, and big round dark-brown eyes that noticed everything. His favorite frog was a tiny green one with golden eyes, no bigger than his thumb. 1

Sam called him Little Frog. Little Frog had bright green skin with darker spots and a pale yellow belly. He loved to sit on a lily pad and blink his big golden eyes. Sam would crouch quietly by the water and watch for hours. He wrote in his notebook: 'Little Frog likes clean water and green plants.' Sam smiled. He felt lucky to have such a special friend. 2

One sunny morning, Sam's class visited the pond with their teacher, Ms. Rosa. She wore a yellow blouse, a green gardening apron, and a wide straw hat. Ms. Rosa showed the children how frogs need clean water and green plants to live and grow. 'Frogs breathe through their skin,' she said. 'So the water must be fresh and clear.' Sam nodded. He wanted to help. 3

But when the class looked at the pond, they saw a problem. The water was muddy and brown. Most of the plants were gone, and the lily pads were few. Sam searched for Little Frog but did not see him. 'Where did he go?' Sam wondered. His friend Leo, tall and strong in his red shirt and overalls, said, 'Maybe he moved to another pond.' Sam felt worried. 4

Ms. Rosa knelt by the water and scooped a little into a jar. 'The pond needs our help,' she said gently. 'Frogs need clean water and plants to hide and lay eggs.' The class decided to restore the pond. Leo raised his hand. 'I can carry buckets!' he said. Sam opened his notebook and drew a plan. Everyone had a job to do. 5

The next day, the children came back with tools and gloves. Ms. Rosa brought native water plants from the garden center. 'These plants will help clean the water and give frogs a home,' she explained. Sam and Leo dug small holes in the muddy bottom near the edge. Other children pulled out old sticks and trash. It was hard work, but everyone helped. 6

Leo filled a bucket with water and carried it carefully. Sam planted a small green plant in the mud. 'Will Little Frog come back?' he asked. Ms. Rosa smiled. 'If we make the pond clean and green, he might,' she said. The children worked all morning. They planted reeds, water lilies, and soft green moss along the bank. The pond began to look better. 7

Weeks passed, and the plants grew tall and strong. The water started to clear. Sam visited the pond every day after school. He drew pictures of the new plants and wrote notes in his notebook. 'The water looks cleaner today,' he wrote. 'I saw a dragonfly.' Leo came with him sometimes, and they would sit quietly, hoping to see Little Frog. 8

Then one afternoon, Sam saw a tiny movement on a lily pad. He held his breath. A small green frog with golden eyes hopped onto the pad. It was Little Frog! Sam's heart leaped with joy. 'You came back!' he whispered. Little Frog blinked and tilted his head. Sam ran to tell Ms. Rosa and Leo the good news. 9

Ms. Rosa came to see. 'You did it, Sam,' she said. 'Your class helped make the pond healthy again.' Leo grinned widely. 'We should keep it this way,' he said. The children decided to visit the pond every month to pick up trash and check the plants. Sam wrote in his notebook: 'Clean water helps frogs stay healthy and happy.' 10

Sam learned that even small actions can make a big difference. He told his family about the pond project. His mom and dad came to see the pond and were proud of him. Sam's little sister asked if she could help too. 'Of course,' Sam said. 'Everyone can help keep ponds green and clean.' Little Frog sat on his lily pad as if he agreed. 11

The class made a sign that said 'Please keep our pond clean.' Ms. Rosa hung it on a post near the water. She wore her gardening apron and smiled at the children. 'You are all pond heroes,' she said. Sam felt warm inside. He knew that with kindness and teamwork, they had made a home for Little Frog and his friends. 12

Now the pond is a happy place. Clear water sparkles in the sun, and green plants sway gently. Frogs croak and jump from pad to pad. Sam still visits every morning with his notebook. He draws the frogs and writes about them. Little Frog often sits on a smooth wet stone and watches Sam. They are good friends. 13

Sam's teacher, Ms. Rosa, uses the pond for science lessons. She shows the children how tadpoles grow into frogs. 'Clean water is important for all living things,' she says. Sam nods. He knows it is true. He hopes other children will learn to care for ponds and streams, just like his class did.