The Frog's Floating Piano

The Frog's Floating Piano - Author : Ebru Mina TOMURCUK

In the green heart of the wetland, where lily pads dozed and dragonflies zipped, a little frog lived by the pond. He was small, about the size of a plum, with bright emerald-green skin, a pale yellow belly, and big round amber eyes. Around his neck, he wore a tiny red scarf with a small gold button. Every morning, he hopped along the muddy bank, curious about everything. 1

One misty morning, something strange drifted across the pond. It was a wooden box with black and white keys, bobbing gently on the water. The frog's amber eyes grew wide. "What is that?" he whispered. He leaped from pad to pad until he sat right beside it. The floating piano rocked softly under his small green feet. 2

The frog touched a key with one rounded toe pad. Plink! The sound rippled across the water like a secret. He pressed another. Plonk! A happy tune began to dance in the air. The frog smiled his wide, gentle smile. "This is wonderful!" he said. "I must play more!" He hopped up and down, making little splashes. 3

High in a willow tree, a bluebird with sky-blue feathers and a warm orange breast heard the plinking. She tilted her head, her black eye mask twitching with curiosity. "What a lovely sound!" she chirped. She flew down and landed on a cattail near the piano. "May I sing along?" she asked. The frog nodded eagerly, his red scarf fluttering. 4

The bluebird opened her thin dark beak and sang a sweet, clear melody. The frog played faster, his springy legs bouncing to the beat. Together, they made a song that floated over the reeds and rushes. A shy cricket, hiding under a leaf, peeked out. He wore a tiny woven grass hat between his long antennae. The music made his tiny black eyes shine. 5

The cricket crept closer, his glossy brown body trembling with excitement. He rubbed his folded wings together, making a steady chirp-chirp-chirp. "I can keep the beat!" he said softly. The frog grinned. "Yes! Join us!" The cricket hopped onto a lily pad and chirped in time. The pond was filling with music, and more animals came to listen. 6

An old turtle with a mossy olive-green shell and round wire spectacles swam slowly toward the sound. He was large and wise, with a gentle crow's feet around his warm brown eyes. "What a joyful noise!" he said, tapping one wrinkled foot on a rock. "I haven't heard such happiness in years. May I tap along?" The frog welcomed him with a wave of his small hand. 7

The turtle's steady tapping added a deep, warm rhythm. Birds fluttered down from the trees, curious about the concert. Frogs peeked from the reeds. A family of ducks paddled closer, quacking softly. The little frog looked around at all the eager faces. "Let's have a big concert!" he announced. "Everyone can join in!" The animals cheered, and the pond sparkled with excitement. 8

The frog began to plan. He asked the bluebird to lead the singing and invite all the birds. He asked the cricket to keep the beat with his chirping. The turtle would tap the rhythm and help gather every animal. "What about you?" asked the bluebird. "I will play the piano!" said the frog, his amber eyes shining. "But I need to practice." 9

Every day, the frog practiced on his floating piano. His small toe pads pressed the keys, making melodies that echoed across the water. Sometimes he hit a wrong note, and his pale yellow belly puffed with a sigh. But the turtle encouraged him. "Keep trying, little friend. Music is made of mistakes and smiles." The frog practiced until the sun set behind the cattails. 10

Finally, the night of the concert arrived. The moon rose round and silver over the pond. Fireflies lit the reeds like tiny lanterns. The frog sat at his piano, his red scarf tied neatly. He felt a flutter in his belly. "What if no one comes?" he whispered. But then he heard a familiar chirp and a tap-taptap. His friends were there. 11

The bluebird sang the first note, clear and bright. The cricket chirped a steady rhythm. The turtle tapped his foot on a hollow log, boom-boom-boom. The frog played a happy tune, and the pond came alive. Ducks quacked, frogs croaked, and even the dragonflies danced in the air. The music floated up to the stars, and the whole wetland smiled. 12

More animals joined in. A rabbit thumped her foot, a mouse squeaked a high note, and a family of otters splashed in time. The frog played and played, his heart full of joy. He saw new friends everywhere, all moving to the same happy beat. The turtle nodded wisely. "Music brings everyone together," he said. The frog agreed with a big grin. 13

When the concert ended, the animals clapped and cheered. They didn't want the music to stop. "Let's do this every week!" said the bluebird. The cricket nodded, his grass hat bobbing. The turtle smiled. "The pond has never been so happy." The frog looked at his new friends and felt warm inside. He knew that music had made the wetland a closer family. 14

From that night on, the frog's floating piano became the heart of the pond. Every evening, animals gathered to play and sing. The frog taught others to play little tunes, and the bluebird taught a bird chorus. The cricket kept the beat, and the turtle told stories between songs. The wetland was filled with laughter and music, and everyone felt welcome.