Little Frog hopped happily back to her sparkling pond, her eyes shining like tiny stars. “Father! Father!” she chirped, her voice bubbling with excitement. “You won’t believe what I saw! It was the largest creature ever! It was HUGE!”
Father Frog straightened up, his chest puffing out like a proud balloon. “Bigger than me?” he asked, his eyebrows dancing in disbelief.
“Much, much bigger!” squeaked Little Frog, bouncing on her webbed feet. “It was an Ox! A gigantic Ox!”
Father Frog’s eyes widened, and a spark of competitiveness lit up inside him. “Bigger than THIS?” he challenged, taking a deep breath and puffing out his round belly until it looked like a shiny beach ball.
“Much bigger, Father,” Little Frog replied, a tremor in her voice. But Father Frog was determined to show he was the biggest creature around. He inhaled deeper, stretching his sides until they bulged like two giant balloons.
“Bigger than THIIIIS?!” he croaked, his eyes popping wide. “Father, please stop! You can’t be as big as an Ox!” Little Frog pleaded, her heart racing with worry. But Father Frog was too caught up in his pride to listen. He puffed and puffed, wobbling like a jellybean on a rollercoaster as the water around him rippled and swayed.
Then, with a thunderous POP! the pond erupted in a splash! Water flew everywhere, and the dragonflies zoomed off in a flurry. The reeds shook, and the fish dove deep below. Father Frog was gone, leaving only a soft ripple behind.
Little Frog stared at the empty space where her father used to float, the sun glimmering on the water like a million twinkling stars. Her heart felt heavy as she realized that her father hadn’t been defeated by the Ox, but by the pride that had filled him.
Sitting quietly, watching the gentle ripples dance, Little Frog promised herself to always cherish who she truly was, no matter how small she felt.