Exploring According to Og the Frog

by Betty G. Birney

  Mrs. Brisbane nods. “I understand. Thank you, Paul. You do the research. I’ll try to set something up, and you can be in charge.”

  “Don’t I have anything to say about this?” I ask.

  The big tads laugh.

  Mrs. Brisbane changes the subject to math, and Paul takes his seat.

  While the rest of the class concentrates on numbers, I concentrate on them.

  At first, things seem normal. Even a little bit boring. I wouldn’t mind a nice nap, but then I notice something.

  Seth drops his pencil.

  He picks it up and then noisily scoots his chair back from the table.

  “Hey, you rocked the table!” Heidi objects.

  “Sorry,” Seth says, running his hand through his hair several times.

  Mrs. Brisbane continues with the class, and I keep on watching Seth. It isn’t long before he starts jiggling his feet.

  “Seth, sit still, please,” Mrs. Brisbane tells him.

  “Sorry,” he says. But before long, he’s drumming his fingers on the table. It sounds like a woodpecker on a busy day.

  “Shhh!” Mandy hushes him.

  He stops drumming, but a few seconds later, he is back at it again.

  “Seth!” Mrs. Brisbane says. “I’m trying to teach here. And it would help both of us if you’d be still.”

  Seth runs his hands through his hair again. “Sorry,” he mumbles.

  Now I can see that Seth is trying not to fidget, but he’s not succeeding!

  No matter how many times his friends shush him or Mrs. Brisbane asks him to settle down or he says he’s sorry, Seth keeps moving and making noise.

  Everyone—including Seth and the teacher—seems relieved when the bell rings for recess.

  “Seth, could I talk to you before you go?” Mrs. Brisbane asks as the students stream out the door.

  When they’re alone, Mrs. Brisbane says, “You’ve been much better at sitting still lately. But today—well, any idea why you’re having so much trouble?”

  Seth shifts from one foot to the other, looking miserable. “I don’t know,” he says. “I guess I do better when Humphrey is here.”

  Everybody does better when Humphrey is here, especially me!

  “How so?” Mrs. Brisbane asks.

  Seth rubs his eyes and then scratches his neck. “When I’m feeling kind of jumpy, I stare at Humphrey’s cage and I settle down. I figured that out when Humphrey was at my house.”

  “I see,” the teacher says. “So doing that helps you focus?”

  “I guess so,” Seth answers. “Anyway, it works. Unless he’s not here.”

  Mrs. Brisbane nods. “I think that’s a good start. But maybe there are other things that could help you focus. Taking a few long, deep breaths. Taking notes. Or . . .” She glances over at my tank. “Maybe you could concentrate on Og. He’s pretty interesting, too.”

  Aw, I’m so glad she noticed!

  Seth says, “I think he’s awesome with that long tongue and green skin.”

  “Let’s see if Og thinks he can help.” Mrs. Brisbane leads Seth over to my tank.

  I’ll tell you what I think: I think it’s a great idea!

  “Hi, Og!” Seth greets me with a big, bright smile.

  “Hi, Seth! BOING-BOING!” I answer.

  “I sure like the sound he makes,” Seth says.

  “There’s nothing like it,” our teacher agrees. “But he generally stays quiet during class.”

  Seth nods. “That’s true.”

  “I think he saves his moving-around time for after class,” Mrs. Brisbane adds.

  She’s been paying more attention to me than I thought!

  “You probably don’t know this, Seth, but at recess time, Og swims and leaps and splashes around. Then he’s calm during class.”

  Mrs. Brisbane is right as usual. Does she know all my secrets?

  But since Humphrey isn’t here to help, I’m going to try. I plunge into the water and splash like crazy. Then I leap up onto my rock and do some jumping jacks.

  “Wow, look at him go!” Seth exclaims.

  Mrs. Brisbane nods. “Yes, I wish I could do that. How about you, Seth? How are you at jumping jacks?”

  The boy immediately launches into an amazing series of peppy jumps, waving his arms at the same time. He may not be quite up to the standards of Jack and me, but he’s only got human legs to work with.

  Seth finally stops to catch his breath.

  “Feeling better?” Mrs. Brisbane asks. She has a huge smile on her face. I like her best when she smiles like that.

  “I do,” Seth answers. “But I can’t get up and do jumping jacks in class.”

  “But if you do jumping jacks and all kinds of active exercises at recess, it might help you be calmer in class,” she suggests.

  “BING-BANG-BOING!” I pop up and agree, and they both laugh.

  “I’m going to go out and do jumping jacks right now!” Seth says, heading for the door.

  “Don’t forget your jacket,” Mrs. Brisbane reminds him.

  After Seth has raced out the door, the teacher turns to me and says, “Thank you, Og. You are a real help to the class. We need you more than ever now.”

  Then she leaves the classroom while I catch my breath.

  “BING-BANG-BOING!” I repeat. I didn’t know if I was up to it, but I helped the big tads all by myself. I’m feeling a little more confident. Granny Greenleaf would be proud.

  I take a few moments to Float. Doze. Be. And I feel calm.

  Once the big tads are back, they go to work on their town. “It feels strange to be working on Humphreyville when Humphrey’s not here,” Sayeh says.

  “I know,” Mrs. Brisbane replies. “But think how proud he’ll be of the progress you make.”

  And I am proud of the progress I’ve made.

  I celebrate by hopping onto my rock and then sliding back down into the water.

  I’m not sure how long I’ve been floating and dozing when I suddenly hear Mrs. Brisbane say, “Gail! Could you tell us what is so fascinating about Og?”

  There’s a lot that’s fascinating about me, but I think she’s trying to get Gail to work on her project instead of staring at me.

  “Og’s been floating for a long time, and he hasn’t moved a muscle. I think maybe he’s sick. Or even . . . dead!”

  I leap up at the word dead to assure Gail that I’m very much alive.

  “He’s fine, Gail,” Mrs. Brisbane says. “He certainly looks healthy to me.”

  Strangely enough, Gail is still staring at my tank.

  “Gail?” Mrs. Brisbane says.

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. Brisbane, but Og gave me an idea,” Gail says. A few seconds later, though, she mumbles, “Never mind,” and returns to her table.

  “I’d like to hear your idea. Why don’t you share it with us?” the teacher asks. “Is it about Humphreyville?”

  “Yes, but it’s probably just silly,” Gail says.

  “I’d like to hear your idea!” I boing as I get back up on my rock and start hopping to encourage her.

  Gail giggles, the way she always does.

  “Tell us, Gail,” Miranda says.

  “Yeah,” A.J. adds. “I’d like to hear your big idea.”

  “I think something is missing,” she says. “Something important.” For once, Gail looks very serious and doesn’t giggle even once.

  “What could be missing?” her friend Heidi asks. “We have a school and houses, city hall and even a hospital.”

  “For people,” Gail says. “But what about the animals, like dogs and cats, hamsters and frogs? They get sick, too. We need somewhere for them to go when that happens.”

  She has a very good point.

  “That’s a great idea!” Sayeh says. Other students
nod and agree.

  “Will you lead the project, Gail?” Mrs. Brisbane says. “I happen to have a box left.”

  Gail hesitates. “I don’t like being in charge. Maybe someone else can do it.”

  I understand. It’s not easy peasy to be in charge.

  “But I think you should try. After all, it’s your idea,” the teacher tells her.

  “Everyone will help,” Garth offers.

  “Well . . . okay,” Gail agrees, but she doesn’t look happy about it.

  “So where do we start?” Tabitha asks.

  Gail thinks for a moment. “When I thought Og was sick, I remembered that Humphrey had to see the vet. In most animal hospitals, the animals are in plain cages, staring at bare walls,” she says. “I’d like to make this one less scary, with lots of toys to play with, and windows so they can get fresh air and look at the grass and trees, and a pretty place to walk the dogs and cats outside as they get better.”

  The whole class gets to work, drawing, coloring and cutting things out.

  “It should be a happy, colorful place,” Gail says.

  Mrs. Brisbane lets them work on it for the rest of the day.

  When the bell’s about to ring, the Humphreyville Pet Hospital is complete, surrounded by colorful paper trees and flowers. There are many windows, and each one has the face of an animal looking out: a dog, a cat, a hamster, a bird and a frog!

  By the time everyone has admired it, Gail is her giggly self again.

  “Thank you for your great idea, Gail,” Mrs. Brisbane says. “After all, our animal friends are an important part of the community, too.”

  Gail looks so proud, I can’t help boinging, “Way to go, Gail!”

  I’d be proud, too. Even though she wasn’t comfortable with being a leader, Gail gave it a try, and it worked out great! Sir Hiram Hopwell always thought outside the swamp . . . and she thought outside the box.

  And who’s to say I can’t do that, too?

  * * *

  I’m all set to greet my little buddy Friday morning when Mrs. Brisbane comes in . . . without Humphrey and his cage!

  My heart takes a few leaps until Mrs. Brisbane says, “Class, I have good news. Humphrey will be back here on Monday.”

  Everyone cheers . . . but no one cheers louder than I do.

  I watch Seth carefully in class, and he seems calmer, especially after recess. And Gail grins as she passes the animal hospital on her way to her table. Excellent!

  When Paul comes in for math, Mrs. Brisbane whispers something to him that I can’t hear. He nods and shows her a paper he’s brought with him.

  After math is finished, Paul usually goes back to Miss Loomis’s class, but not today.

  “Class, Paul has given me a detailed plan for cleaning Og’s tank. And Mrs. Goldman is going to help us out. As you know, her art classroom has a large, deep sink for cleaning paintbrushes and such. A team of you, led by Paul, will be taking Og and his tank in there.”

  I am pleased to see every hand in class go up and start waving.

  “Pick me,” Gail begs.

  “Please, let me do it,” Garth says.

  A.J. waves his arm and in his loud voice bellows, “Pick me, Paul!”

  Paul glances at Mrs. Brisbane with a look of panic on his face. Luckily, our teacher already has a plan—as usual.

  “Class, I’ve written each of your names on a strip of paper and put them in this bowl.” She holds up a bowl, reaches inside and shows the class the strips of paper. “I’m going to have Paul close his eyes and pick out three names. They will be the helpers this time. And don’t worry if you don’t get selected. Og will need his tank cleaned out again.”

  Paul closes his eyes tightly, reaches into the bowl and, one by one, picks out three strips of paper.

  Mrs. Brisbane reads out the names. “Miranda Golden.”

  Miranda looks thrilled! After being fired from her job as animal keeper, she is getting another chance.

  “Garth Tugwell!” Mrs. Brisbane announces.

  Garth beams.

  “Mandy Payne!” she declares.

  Mandy stands up and takes a bow. Everyone laughs.

  Then, before I know it, my tank is placed on a cart and Paul wheels me out of the classroom and down the hall toward the art room, with Miranda, Garth and Mandy following behind.

  I suddenly realize that I have no idea where we’re going and what will happen there.

  But it’s okay . . . because maybe this is the great adventure I’ve been longing for. To the hallway . . . and beyond!

  My Incredible Journey

  Sir Hiram Hopwell came back to the swamp to share his adventures in the Great Unknown with his green frog family. But I wondered about the explorers in Uncle Chinwag’s stories who never returned. One day I asked him why they never came back to the swamp. He thought and then in his slow, sure way replied, “I like to think it’s because they found exactly what they were looking for. Or something even better!” Jumpin’ jackrabbits! I’d never imagined anything better than the swamp!

  * * *

  I’m excited, and I guess Paul is, too, because we are whizzing past lots of doors and classrooms. I even get a quick glimpse of what must be the playground where the big tads go for recess. Mandy, Miranda and Garth have a hard time keeping up. At last I feel as if I’m heading out on a great adventure! And I didn’t have to slide down the table leg or figure out how to get under the door.

  I feel as free as a frog floating on a lily pad, and I’m inspired by a new song floating around in my head.

  Gone exploring,

  Gone exploring,

  Gone exploring for a while.

  Hope I find what I am seeking,

  Gone exploring for a while.

  I am searching,

  I am searching,

  I am searching to find out

  What this new world has to offer

  And just what it’s all about.

  Keep on seeking,

  Keep on seeking,

  Keep on seeking every clue,

  To discover all that’s out there

  And what humans really do!

  Gone exploring,

  Gone exploring,

  Gone exploring for a while.

  I am sure to find adventure,

  Gone exploring for a while.

  My song stops when Paul takes a sharp turn into a classroom. I see right away that it doesn’t look anything like Room 26 or Miss Loomis’s room.

  Those are nice rooms, but they aren’t nearly as colorful and sunny as this one. It’s big with long tables and brightly colored stools with lots of students sitting on them. And so many colorful things on the walls!

  I also see tubs and brushes. Boldly patterned drawers. This room almost has a life of its own. And then I see it: a deep, wide sink with faucets. What a lovely swimming hole that would make! Instead, that sink must be for cleaning my tank.

  That’s okay, I guess, but I wish I could be part of the class. I don’t know a thing about art . . . but I want to learn!

  Paul wheels my tank toward a woman at the front of the classroom. She is wearing a loose shirt with splatters of paint all over. Messy, but colorful.

  Her hair is all gathered up on top of her head in a knot, and there’s something bright and red sticking out of it. Is that a paintbrush?

  Her lips are bright red, too.

  “This must be Og! Welcome to art class!” she says, opening her arms wide. “You look like a work of art yourself! Thank you, Paul, for bringing Og here.”

  “BOING-BOING!” I greet her.

  “Did you hear that, class?” she asks. “Og speaks a beautiful language!”

  “BOING-BOING!” I thank her. If only she could understand my beautiful language.

  She leans in clo
se to my tank. “Aren’t you a vibrant green? I would like to paint you.”

  I am not sure I’d like to have paint smeared all over me. I hope that’s not what she has in mind.

  “I am Mrs. Goldman. I’m not as colorful as you are, but at least I have a colorful name,” she tells me.

  I try to tell her I like her name, even if all she hears is “BOING-BOING!”

  “Class, today Paul, Mandy, Miranda and Garth are going to be cleaning Og’s tank in our big sink, and Paul will tell us about what he’s doing,” she explains. “While they are doing that, this is a good chance for us to work on color and shading. I think Og here would make an excellent model!”

  I jump for joy. “BOING!” I am going to be part of art class!

  There are a lot of giggles, and a few tads shout out, “Hi, Og!”

  Then Paul takes over. And being Paul, he is very serious as he explains what they need to do.

  “First, we all have to wash our hands.” He turns on the water and swishes his hands around. “We won’t use soap or chemicals, because they could irritate Og’s skin,” he says. “Just make sure you rinse them really well.”

  So far, so good. Irritated skin would make me as cranky as a bear that stepped on a beehive! I’m so glad Paul knows what he’s doing.

  Mandy, Miranda and Garth take turns rinsing their hands.

  “Of course, we must take Og out of his tank while we clean it,” Paul says. He takes a bowl from the cart. “This temporary container is big enough so he can’t hop out.”

  I don’t say anything, but I think Paul underestimates my jumping ability.

  Then Paul reaches into my tank and I brace myself. Even though he’s moving nice and slow, I’m still a little nervous.

  “Watch out!” Mandy says. “I picked him up once, and he peed on me!”

  The students burst out laughing, but it’s not funny. It’s true! I couldn’t help myself.

  “I’ll be careful.” He slowly scoops me up and gently sets me in the bowl.

  Miranda places a thin sheet of plastic over the top and Garth puts a rubber band around that. Paul quickly pokes some holes in the plastic. “For air,” he says.