Free Frog's Flying Adventure by Eve Bunting

A Flower for Frog

    Frog was sunning on his rock when he saw something red.
    It was in the long grass.
    What is that? Frog wondered.
    He hopped over to check.

    It was a pretty red flower growing close to his pond.

    Just to look at it made Frog happy.
    â€œCome and see Flower,” he told his friends. “Isn’t she pretty?”
    â€œOh yes.” His friends liked her as much as he did.

    â€œHer name is Flower,” he told them.
    Chameleon sighed. “That is a pretty name. It is easy to say. My name is hard to say.”
    â€œWe like it,” Little Jumping Mouse told him.
    â€œIt may be French,” Frog said.
    â€œHow did Flower get here?” Raccoon asked.
    They thought about it.
    â€œMaybe a friend of Frog’s brought it and left it there for him,” Rabbit said. “I left a carrot at my friend’s house this morning.”

    Squirrel scratched his ear. “Maybe a bird dropped a seed. And Flower grew.”

    â€œOr maybe it was magic,” Frog said.

    Frog took good care of Flower.
    He gave her water every day. “I know you need water,” he told her. “Frogs do, too.”
    The grass grew thick around her. Frog cleared it away.
    â€œNow you can feel the sun,” he told her.
    Every morning he told Flower good morning.
    Every night he told her good night.
    It was like having a new friend.
    But then, something bad happened.
    The leaves on Flower began to droop.
    She was not bright red anymore.

    Frog was so worried he could not eat. Flies and moths and no-see-ums flew across his pond and he did not try to catch them. He thought about Flower.
    The next day her edges were brown.
    She had lost most of her petals.

    All his friends came to visit her.
    â€œWe should sing to her,” little Jumping Mouse said. “Singing might make her well again.”
    They gathered around her and sang a get-well song.
    But Flower just stood, bent and almost bare.
    â€œI am so sad,” Frog said. “What more can I do for her?”
    â€œNothing,” Raccoon said. “She has had her joy time. Now her time is past.”
    The little possums began to cry.

    Then Squirrel stooped down and said, “Wait! Flower has left something for you, Frog.”
    Frog wiped his eyes. “What is it?”
    â€œIt is a little Flower. It has just started to grow. Soon it will be as big as Flower was.”
    They all peered down.

    â€œOh my gosh!” Frog said. “Thank you, Flower. I will take good care of your little one …

    â€œI will give her water and lots of sun. I will speak to her morning and night.”
    He smiled at his friends.
    â€œWhat is her name?” Chameleon asked. “I hope it is a nice name.”
    â€œIt is Little Flower,” Frog said. “And I love her already.”

Frog Flies

    Sometimes Seagull flew over Frog’s pond.
    When he did, he stopped to float and talk.
    â€œIt must be nice to be able to fly,” Frog said.

    â€œYes, I go where I want to go. I see the world,” said Seagull.
    â€œThere are things I want to see,” Frog said. “I want to see a cow. And a horse. I want to see lots of things. But they are far from my pond.”
    â€œI can take you,” Seagull said. “Here. Get on my back.”
    â€œReally? It will be safe?” Frog asked.
    â€œAbsolutely. I have been flying for years. I have never had an accident.”

    â€œAll right. This will be an adventure,” Frog said.
    Frog climbed on Seagull’s back.

    Raccoon saw them take off.
    â€œCome back, Frog,” she yelled. “Frogs do not fly.”
    Frog waved.
    â€œThis one does!” he shouted.

    They were going up. And up.
    Oh, this was not good at all.
    Frog clung to Seagull’s feathers.
    â€œYou are pulling my feathers. It hurts!” Seagull yelled.
    â€œBe careful! You are going too fast!” Frog yelled back. “Look out for that tree. You are going to hit it! If you are