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Thespian, King of Frogs


    Hey, everyone. I have had an interesting day, here at the author's green retreat. My heating and air unit was visited by a frog. I am not sure how long the little guy has been around, but he was inside the grill for the fan box. One day he would be on the left and the next day he would be on the right. My wife opined that he was one of those frogs who like to live on the edge. He thought that it would be cool to ride the air coming off the blades, like a skydiver floating in a wind-tunnel. This is certainly a worthy hypothesis but I had another thought about the long-legged rascal.
      I decided to name him Thespian, King of Frogs. I figured that he was trying to find a better land for his people to live in. He saw that the moisture from the unit's condensate line would provide clean water. There would be a few bugs drawn to the water, which would provide some nutrition. There was the added plus in the fact that no cat could reach a frog that was inside the grill.
     I'm sure that Thespian saw visions of a 'Lion King' sort of movie in his future. Doubtless, he had already contacted Elton John and Bernie Taupan to write the soundtrack. What he failed to see was that as he grew, he would no longer fit between the metal bars of his refuge. His refuge became a prison. Yes, he died inside the unit. I had to pull him forcefully by the leg to free him, flattening his head as you can see. He was stiff and dried up.
      After a moment of silence ... and a few photos, I tossed him into the middle of the yard. Then, today when I mowed, I most certainly chopped him into tiny pieces. I am relatively confident that Thespian will rot and fertilize the yard. It is nice to think that he will make my yard greener, year to year, and fulfill that 'Circle of Life' one hears so much about.
      He died a noble death as he tried to lead his subjects to that fabled land of milk and honey. He will be an inspiration to frogs everywhere.
    Today, at dusky sundown, to his name we'll drink a round. Thespian, the frog that dared to search for greener pastures and fatter flies. We bid you good night, sweet prince.
    From this brave frontier of frogdom, I'm CE Wills. 
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