The Prince of the Pond

At the edge of the park, where the lily pads float

Lived a slippery frog with an emerald coat

A blob of pond jelly with two bulging eyes 

Flopping and plopping while searching for flies

He was SLIMY and MUDDY and STICKY and SMALL

Yes — life of a frog was not easy AT ALL!

His squishy soft skin and round belly-bun

Made kids point and laugh, throw pebbles, and run...

ALL he could think of, each night and each day

Was a magical castle FAR, FAR AWAY 

The life of a prince seemed truly enchanting

Loved and adored, always laughing and dancing …

As the fairy tale goes, and it’s bound to be true

HE had a chance to be a prince too!

"Ribbit," he croaked

‘I pray and I pray..

If only a kiss would transform me one day!

I don’t really care -

From whom, where and how  

I just need a plan, and I need it NOW’

With a wink and a grin, he hopped from his nook

‘If I want a kiss, I must change how I look!

I’ll cover my skin and hide my old self 

Then sit tight and wait, like a toy on a shelf

I’ll be soft, I’ll be plush and this moss is just right

A pat here, a pat there and I'm all a delight!’

He felt warm and fuzzy, yet something was missing…

He’ll need so much more for the magic of kissing:

A stick for a cane, two flowers for glasses, a feather for tie and shoes with gold tassels.

A shell pocket watch, a dragonfly wing, a crown made of vines and a stone for a ring. 

WOOOOOOOOW — what a show!

You could gaze at the Sun but not at his glow!

A group of young girls who walked hand in hand

Came close to the water, their feet in the sand

‘IS THAT A POND MONSTER?’ they said with a snigger

WHO and WHAT is this GHASTLY figure?!

‘He looks like a puzzle with pieces mixed up!’

‘He looks like a pizza with a rainbow on top!’

‘A crushed origami, an upside-down cup!’

Is it a goblin? An ogre with clothes?

Or worse!! Still a FROG, which everyone LOATHES!

His brilliant plot had fallen apart

It was sunny outside, yet it rained in his heart…

Nothing he did ever helped him. At all.

He will ALWAYS be just a small sticky troll…

Then came a girl with wondering eyes,

Who didn’t laugh at his silly disguise.

They called her ‘Miss Science’, a fabulous name—

Discovering nature was her favorite game.

‘Cheer up, little buddy. Come sit by my side

Your wonderful self has nothing to hide!

You have leafy-green skin as soft as a whisper

And DREAMY big eyes with sparkles of glitter 

You can glow in the dark as fireflies do 

And climb up a building with your toes made of glue

You don’t need glasses nor tassels of gold

To show who you are, so UNIQUE and so BOLD

You’re a prince of two worlds, both water and earth

Those who look closely can see your true worth!’

She cradled him gently, her eyes full of bliss

Then smiled from within, and gave him …a KISS.

The magic he dreamt of was here all along

In the splash of his dive and the croak of his song

Some people can’t see who you are from the start

To find real beauty, you must look with the heart

You're not loved for riches or royal attire,

But for having a spark that can light up a fire

The Prince of the Pond left his sorrows behind

Not by changing his looks, but by changing his mind

With one single thought he could twist his own fate

Yes — life of a frog was TOAD-ally great!