B.B. Toad - Chapter 4

By PAUL ROBERTS

Chapter 4

With all the courage he could muster, B.B. stayed in place and stared at the odd face. The watery wall seemed quite firm, even though he could clearly see through it. He felt as if it would be next to impossible for him to get through the wall, and if that was true for him, perhaps it was also true for the creature on the other side. B.B. knew by the size of the head that it wasn’t prey. But predator? That remained to be seen.

Ever so slowly, B.B. edged his left arm down, repositioning himself for a quick leap to one side, if necessary. The creature’s mouth opened slightly. B.B. could see it had a mouthful of what appeared to be white pebbles, all in a row. The head slowly raised a bit more, looking down at B.B. Then it turned slowly from side to side, and pressed its nose against the watery wall. Then, as quickly as a toad tongue, the face was gone. B.B. leaped to one side, into the shady corner, under the cobweb, and waited.

From the darkened corner, B.B. had a fine view of the sunlight shining down into this fine space. It might make a fine home. If he could be sure that the strange face with the white pebble mouth was not dangerous. He would agree to stay on his side of the watery wall, if it would stay on the other side.

B.B. heard the return of the pebble mouth before he could see it. Muffled sounds, like something moving from far away, reached his ears (technically, a tympanic membrane that picks up sound and vibration). Then, to his surprise and concern, he saw not one but two heads rising on the other side of the watery wall. The yellow bristle-grass head with its mouth full of white pebbles was side by side with another head, this one covered in brown flat grass. Both faces had two huge bug eyes and a nose, but the new face had a mouth wide open, shaped like the circle of a lily pad. The faces peered through the water wall, searching back and forth, but B.B. sat in his dark corner, his froggy camouflage colors blending in with his surroundings.

The faces dropped away from the wall. B.B. knew it was best to stay in his dark corner, but then the same curiosity that had led him to leave the pond returned, and he crept out from the dark corner, one step at a time (toads don’t always hop). Were the faces really gone? He felt safe enough for one more quick look…and besides, the morning sun was still gently warming the froggy porch window sill. It would feel so nice on his belly.

He crept up on the sill, put his nose to the watery wall…nothing but his own light reflection in the watery glass. He reached up with his froggy hands, and once again delighted in the sounds he could screech out as he drew his fingers downward. But, best not to overdo it. Enough adventure for the day. B.B. Toad crept back into his dark corner to sleep out the heat of the day, knowing that the night was the best time for a toad concert.

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B.B. Toad estivates through the winter.  Do you ever wish you could estivate or hibernate in the winter?

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