The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-08-22
THE FROGS LEGEND OF THE
MOON.

Miss Frog sat, in the cool of the
evening, under plantain-leaf, by the
side of her blue and placid lake.
The day had been excessively warm,
and so, as she sat, she gracefully
waved, backward and forward, one Of
her delicate web feet.
1t was a beautiful, natural far, and
served admirably the purpose intended.
Around Miss Frog arose the varied
MARBLE of other frogs. The little polli-
wogs had all been put to bed; and now
came stealing on the season for silent
thoughts. Always anxious to improve
her mind, Miss Frog gazed about her
to find subject ON which to fasten her
attention.
She had been once sent to Southern
lake to finish her education, and was
really quite superior to ordinary frogs.
"Therc is no one here in this mud
hole to appreciate me-" she regretfully
sighed, as two silly frogs passed her
leaf, flirting so hard that neither of
them observed her.
She drew around her her shawl of
lace, made from the finest cobwebs of
Florida-and sulked.
just then arose the moon, taking its
solitary. silvery way across the sky.
Her attention was arrested at once.
"How like to q polliwog it isr' she
rapturously exclaimed, "save that it
lacks tail.''
''And a glorified polliwog it is,
daughter of the waterr' croaked u sud-
den hoarse voice beside her.
She hoped with fright, and gasped
as if about to faint; but Gained herself
again as she recognized the tones of the
rough-skinned Sage of the Frogs, who
dwells alone in some remote corner of
the lake. He it is who always sings,
"Kerdunkr' when he condescends to
sing at all.
This learned hermit, after clearing
his throat repeatedly, thus explained
himself:
"There is a legend, connected with
our race, that runs in this wise:''
"Ahemr
upon time, in certain valley,
where once flowed a considerable
stream, the waters suddenly failed and
the stream died away.
"Upon the unfortunate frogs who
dwelt there, in vast numbers, the hot
summer sun shOne its tiercest rays un-
hindered.
"Dreadful!' piped Miss Frog.
Eyes, it did!' said the Sage, re-
proachfully, "and if you wish to hear
this story, you must be careful not to
interrupt me again, thoughtless girl!
As Miss Frog was very DESTROYS, in
deed, of hearing the story, she remain
ed quiet and the hermit frog continued:
"The waters dried away, and hum
dreds of wretched frogs died on those
scorching fields. Dying fishes gasped:
with their last breath, for drop of
cool water, and joined their walls with
those of our suffering kindred.
"At length, one old trout, who had
held out to the last, confessed:
Miserable 1! and wicked! Ihave
caused this drought! And now have
no power to remedy the evil l have
done!'
"At this, all of the frogs who were
not yet dead gathered around the tough
old trout and listened to his words.
'''That was an evil day. gasped the
speckled sinner, when ] poked my
nose out of water to dare saucy king
fisher, who was mocking the whole fish
tribe, in his usual dashing manner.
Catch me if you cant cried, darting
about at my ease.
"'But the bird beguiled me. He
made me believe that, if would only
work little hole through that dam
there. could descend with the escap-
ing waters to the stream below, and
make my way to the sea. where, as I
heard, the fishes were all Kings, and
ate nothing but diamonds for dinner.
| "'I enticed all the trout that could
influence to assist me, and we wriggled
and wriggled our noses into the gravel
for long time, apparently to no pur-
pose.
"'But, at last, little leak started,
and our water dripped away. drop by
drop; but not in sufficient volume to
carry us with it.
"sWhen the waters had receded, so
rs to make the stream very low, back
came that artful kingfisher, to dive for
us in the shallow pools.
"'And now, what the drought had
not destroyed that tempter has gorged
himself upon.
".Oh-h-h! Boo-hoo-hoo!'
"The frogs freely forgave him be-
cause he cried.
"Butthe problem remained, how was
the supply Of water to be renewed.
s'At this juncture, an earnest, meek
eyed polliwog Topped feebly, and said
Show me the place where these waters
leak away
"Astonished at her manner, the sob
bling trout indicated the spot.
Drag me thither by my tail!' ex-
claimed the heroine, resolutely.
"Then the frogs used their last re-
manning strength to do as she babe them,
and awaited, in exhausted surprise, tO
see what would happen next.
| "'Good-byI wept the brave little
polliwog, wriggling with feeling, and
grooming some. II any of You survive
me, tell it to your children that laid
myself in the breach!'
with these few farewell words she
crowded herself into the hole, out Of
their sight.
Presently, the stream began to rise
and the pools to fill up. The frogs sal
knee-dcep in water, and the fishes swan
upon their sides.
i "Day by day things improved. and
/ 'fkn fSc11nc horp0v, tn oft in hQN vvhiIG