Hans And Franz
Once upon a time not so long ago in an old German castle lived
"Franz The Frog." Every evening "ANTie Patti " would lower the
squeaky heavy gate from the castle to let "Franz" come happily,
hopping inside. The water that
surrounded the old castle put off a misty glow from the bright moon at night and
gave almost an orange color to the soft peaceful water.
"Franz" liked to fish with his old fishing pole as he sat back
on the water's edge with his feet dangling over the side.
He was quite a sight and people came from all around to watch him fish.
"Petra" the pigeon flew by and laughed at "Franz"
saying; "That old green frog
will never catch a fish!" "I
don't know why everybody is making such a fuss!"
Just then "Franz" had a bite on his line and suddenly it was
gone. "Dakmar" the duck
said; "Better luck next time
you old green frog!" But
"Franz" decided he had enough ridicule for one day and would go inside
the castle where he could rest up for an early morning fishing day tomorrow.
Well tomorrow came quickly and "ANTie Patti" lowered the bridge
again for "Franz." People
were already there waiting for him clapping and yelling;
"You can do it "Franz," we know you can!"
So "Franz " whipped his fishing line into the cold water as
everyone watched. He didn't want to
disappoint them but he remembered what "Petra" the pesky pigeon and
"Dakmar" the delirious duck had said.
Just then "Hans The Hedgehog" wandered past "Franz."
Before he could say anything, "Franz" said;
"I know you came here to call me an old green frog and to tell me
I'll never catch a fish!" "No!"
Cried "Hans." "I was
passing by and noticed a big green frog fishing and wanted to know if you
wouldn't mind if I fished next to you."
"Franz" was so excited he slipped into the ice - cold water and
hopped onto a lily pad to shake himself dry.
Well now "Petra" and "Dakmar" had to see this for
themselves and flew by laughing hysterically.
They laughed so hard they almost ran into the nearest chestnut tree
headfirst. Nighttime was falling and still no fish for "Franz"
or "Hans," they were so disappointed but agreed to meet at the same
place again early in the morning.
"ANTie Patti" lowered the squeaky gate as she always did and
wiped the sleep from her eyes. "Hans"
was already fishing but where was "Franz?"
They searched and searched for "Franz" but he was nowhere to be
found. Suddenly "Franz"
appeared with the biggest and fattest fish we've ever seen.
"Dakmar" and "Petra" flew by with their mouths wide
open in disbelief.
The townspeople and "ANTie Patti" were so proud of
"Franz" that he never gave up even after "Petra" and "Dakmar"
ridiculed him. "Hans" was
so happy for his new friend that he promised to fish with "Franz"
every day. "ANTie Patti"
and the townspeople got together and dedicated a huge green frog statue of
"Franz" sitting with a fishing pole along the water's edge with his
big fish for everyone to enjoy. He
was famous in that old castle and everyone remembered him for years to come.
The old green frog was really something special!
Copyright
1997 by author Patti Tricoli
