Fritz the Frog .....Part One

Fritz the Frog1

Part One2

Chapter One3

Time For Decisions4

Once upon a time there was a frog named Fritz who lived with all the other frogs in the pond out by the pasture. But somehow Fritz felt different than all the other frogs. He didn’t hop the same way they did, or swim as good as all the other frogs. He didn’t even like to eat bugs but all of the other frogs liked them so much that they wouldn’t even let one get past them. They’d lash out with their tongues and, ‘smack’, another bug would bite the dust. But not Fritz. He’d ignore them, just let them fly right on by him. In fact he thought they were right down yukky!5

Everyday Fritz would prance around the edge of the pond, play tag with the tadpoles and keep an eye out for something yummy to eat…like a flower petal floating on the water, or maybe a bit of algae. Now that was food fit for a king, or at least for a very different kind of frog, like Fritz. And he’d dance.6

Ahh, yes, Fritz loved to dance. He’d pick up a small twig, tuck it under his arm, grab a leaf and hold it over his head like a hat. And he’d dance. All the other frogs made fun of him but before it was over they’d all be sitting around, clapping hands to imaginary music and enjoying the show Fritz would put on for them.7

As Fritz became a mature frog, all the other frogs began telling him it was time to be like them. They told him that he should sit around on lily pads, croak now and then, catch bugs with his tongue and dive into the water to catch more. “Grow up, Fritz”, they would tell him, over and over again.8

Well, Fritz figured he was grown up enough and it occurred to him that there must be more to life than swimming around a pond all day. One night, as he was trying to fall asleep, he made a decision. First thing in the morning he would start a brand new life. He would leave the pond and go seek his fortune in the city.9

The next day, just as the sun was peeping over the nearby hills and all the other frogs were still asleep, he quietly packed his few belongings, left a note for his best friends, the tadpoles, and began his journey to the city.10

As he pranced along the dusty road he dreamed of how exciting and wonderful his new life would be. He’d become rich and famous, have a castle with a princess in it, just like he’d read about in the fairy tale books. There was even a frog in the books who turned into a handsome prince when the princess kissed him. He made up his mind to have that kind of happiness.11

It wasn’t long before he began to feel hungry and thirsty so he started looking around for something to eat and drink, and a pond in which to take a quick plunge to cool off. He could see a house in the distance so he headed for that.12

As he pranced closer he could see that it was a huge house, a mansion, a castle! It was magnificent and there was even a pond in the yard with a low stone wall around it and flowers growing next to it. Some of the petals had fallen into the water and were floating gracefully on its surface. And he spotted just a little bit of algae in a shaded part of the pond. Now this looked like a meal fit for royalty. 13

Then he saw her, a princess. A vision of loveliness! She was beautiful and Fritz knew without a doubt that he was in love. But she looked so sad. Why, he thought, why would someone so beautiful be so sad? 14

He approached her quietly but she didn’t seem to notice him. She sat on the little stone wall and gazed into the water. She seemed to be staring at her reflection. She began to speak, softly at first and he could barely hear her. Then she began to weep, her tears so profuse that they splashed, making ripples in the pond.15

“Why did he leave me”, she said aloud, her words coming between sobs. “I love him so much. I’m so ugly, though. That must be why he left. I’m just not beautiful, he hates me”. 16

Not beautiful!, thought Fritz. Not beautiful?! She was gorgeous, the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. Well, not that he’d seen that many, just the farmers wife and daughters. And none of them were pretty at all. But this princess was beautiful beyond words. How could any man think she was ugly.17

“Fair maiden”, Fritz said, “why are you crying? You should be happy, smiling, dancing with joy”.18

“Go away, you nosey frog, leave me alone”, she answered curtly. “Oh, my God, I’m talking to a frog”, she said with disgust, and turned away. Fritz tried to assure her that he was not just any frog, but she left him sitting there and ran towards the castle.19

Poor Fritz was heart broken. And hungry, and hot, and thirsty, and he’d just been rejected by the love of his life. He jumped into the pond, swam around just enough to cool off a bit and grabbed a few flower petals and some algae. As he sat on the wall, munching on his favorite foods, he contemplated what his next move should be. Should he wait around the pond, hoping that someday the beautiful princess would return and share his love? Or should he continue on his way to fame and fortune?20

Fame and fortune won, so once more Fritz set out for the city, knowing in his heart that someday he would return to win the love of his beautiful princess. He didn’t even know her name but she was his princess, his love, and that’s all that mattered.21

He arrived in the city quite late that night and began to look for a place to sleep. He came upon a few puddles in the street but they were dirty and didn’t offer much in the way of flower petals or any other form of food. And besides, the cars were coming much too close and too fast for him to ever be able to get a nights rest. He asked some passersby if there was a park nearby but they just ignored him. One person, a man obviously very much inebriated, did stop and looked at him rather intensely. “Frogs don’t talk”, he muttered and stumbled along, glancing back with a somewhat bewildered look on his face.22

Fritz pranced on down the sidewalk, crossing the streets cautiously as cars zoomed past, until finally he came to a park. This will do nicely, he said to himself. I can sleep by the little pond over there and no one will even notice me.23

It was noisy but he finally fell asleep and awoke the next morning to the sound of chirping birds and car horns. He nibbled on a few flower petals, took a quick splash in the pond and set out to find his fortune among the tall buildings, dodging cars and people, looking for a suitable place to start. 24

It wasn’t long before he saw a sign in the window of one of the buildings. 25

“WANTED 26

MUSICIANS AND DANCERS 27

APPLY WITHIN”28

Perfect, he thought to himself. I can dance. I’ve found my fortune already. I’ll be rich and famous in no time.29

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~30

Chapter Two31

Seeking Fame and Fortune32

Fritz went directly to the front desk where a cute little receptionist looked up from filing her fingernails. “May I help you, errrr, sir?”, she asked, looking at him curiously.33

“Good day, Miss. I’m here for the dancing job which you have posted in your window”, Fritz replied with a smile and trying to use his most articulate speech. “Are you the person with whom I need to speak?”34

“Well, we do need dancers but we only hire people. And you’re definitely not a person. But I do wish you luck in your pursuits for employment, sir”, she answered rather sarcastically. She then went back to her preoccupation with her fingernails, dismissing him completely. She didn’t even notice as he pranced quietly up to the door behind her where he could hear voices. Maybe they’ll listen to me, he thought as he let himself into the office from which the voices came.35

There were three men inside, one was smoking a huge cigar, another one, much younger, sitting politely next to the huge cigar, hands clasped on his lap, and trying not to let anyone see that he was practically choking to death on the cigar smoke. The third man, very robust and also very bald, was seated behind the large shiny, but messy desk, photographs and papers scattered across it’s surface.36

All three looked at Fritz with quizzical but interested looks. Finally the bald man asked, “Yes? What can we do for you, frog?”37

Suddenly Fritz felt tongue-tied. Looking from one to the other he finally choked out the words, “I’m here to apply for the dancing job”, but they just kept looking at him, dumbfounded. A talking frog asking for a dancing job. They began to laugh.38

Fritz was mortified by their rudeness but determined as he was to be rich and famous, he stood his ground. Finally the man with the cigar managed to stop laughing long enough to say, “Okay, froggy, show us see what you can do. Go for it”. And the others stopped laughing, too. 39

“My name is Fritz and I dance, even sing a little”. He placed his twig in his left hand, under his arm and with his right hand he pulled a large leaf from his pocket, raising it over his head like a hat, and began to dance, just like he did for all the frogs back home.40

The three of them watched the performance, quiet, non-committal, as Fritz danced. When he’d finished he took a bow, arms outstretched, his twig in one hand, hat in the other. All three men sat dumfounded at this spectacle of a dancing frog. And a very good dancing frog at that.41

“You’re hired, Fritz”, said the man behind the desk. “My name is Sam, that’s Louie and Marty”, gesturing first to the cigar, then to the other man who was still stifling death from cigar smoke. “Be back here this afternoon by two o’clock for rehearsal. See Suzi at the front desk when you come back, she’ll give you a costume”. 42

“Thank you, sir, thank you. I know you wont regret this”. Fritz backed out the door, smiling with satisfaction. He’d landed a dancing job on his very first try! His fame and fortune were assured!! Soon he’d be ready to return to his lovely princess and share his love and wealth with her. They would have a bunch of little tadpoles and live happily ever after. Just like in the fairy tales. Only this would be real, no fairy tale.43

Fritz reported to his new job fifteen minutes early, unable to wait another minute. Suzi at the front desk was still filing her fingernails and he wondered if she had any left by now. She gave him that same rather ‘useless’ look she’d given him when he had been there that morning. But she led the way to a large stage area at the rear of the building, into a narrow hallway and through a door marked “DRESSING ROOM”.44

Inside Suzi went to a closet where she took out a small red jacket and a yellow straw top hat. She handed them to him, telling him to put them on and come out to the stage. She departed, closing the door behind her. 45

Fritz held up the jacket, much too big, but he put it on and looked at himself in the mirror. He looked like a green blob with a large red blob from the face down. Then he donned the straw hat, which of course covered his entire head. He lifted it enough to see his reflection and began to laugh at his appearance. This will never do, he thought. He looked around for something to sew with and found a box on a shelf containing needles and various colored threads. 46

He set to work, quickly sewing a large hem in the jacket. It was still too big but at least allowed his legs to be seen. There wasn’t much he could do with the hat but he would be able to just hold it in his hand while he danced. Then he spotted it…. a small silver cane leaning in the corner. A little bit too big but it would do. Holding one end and swinging it into position under his arm, he took one last look in the mirror and went out to the stage.47

By this time there were several other people there, talking, pulling instruments from their cases and beginning to tune up for the rehearsal. Some of them were doing warm ups in preparation for their dancing. 48

As Fritz joined the others, they all, without exception stopped what they were doing and stared at Fritz. He felt a little self-conscious but smiled and introduced himself. After a moment of amazement upon hearing a talking frog, but being accustomed to weird things in show business, they once again resumed their chatter. One by one they introduced themselves and finally got around to asking Fritz what it is that he would be doing in the show.49

Without hesitation he stepped right in to his routine. With smooth graceful movements and flair, hat held just so as to not go over his head, his cane placed jauntily under his arm, he began to dance. 50

At first he could hear snickers but that changed to awed silence as he continued to dance. As he ended and took a bow, everyone applauded. They cheered, they smiled, they shook his hand. It was great! He felt accepted, a part of this new and wonderful life.51

A few minutes later Marty came to the stage area, taking a seat in the front row and calling for attention. Fritz learned from one of the young lady dancers that Marty was the director. 52

Marty began calling out orders, telling each dancer where to position themselves, the musicians when to come in with their refrains. Fritz stood there, along with the other dancers awaiting instructions. He wasn’t sure where to be in the lineup. Seemed that no matter where he stood he was in the way and unnoticed. 53

After several minutes of shuffling dancers back and forth, Marty said, “You, Fritz, take your place in front of the rest of the lineup”. That’s better, thought Fritz as he centered himself in front of the others. 54

Marty signaled the musicians to begin and after a brief introductory refrain, signaled the dancers to begin. 55

The afternoon went fast, it seemed to Fritz when after three hours of rehearsal, changes, redoing, then more changes, Marty called for a dinner break and told everyone to be back for the evening performance. It was to be their first show with him as director. He was understandably a little apprehensive with this new group who had less than one week of experience together.56

Fritz left the building, dancing in his heart, a smile on his face. He was on his way to fame and fortune. And most important of all, he was on his way to winning his true love’s heart.57

As he made his way to the park where he had taken up residence, he noticed a haberdashery still open ... barely open, as a man was in the process of turning over the ‘OPEN’ sign in the window, to read ‘CLOSED’. 58

Fritz dashed to the door and persuaded the man to allow him to come in and buy a top hat. It took some searching but they finally found a suitable yellow straw hat like the one at the theater, except much smaller. It was still too large for Fritz’ head but worked better than the huge one he’d used at rehearsal. He paid for the hat, thanked the clerk and went home to his park where he dined on flower petals and algae. He rested for awhile on a lily pad then began his trip back to the theater for his first real performance in the big city.59

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~60

Chapter Three61

Success62

That first performance in front of a live audience turned out to be a big success. As the dancers put their hearts into every step, the crowd, restless at first, gradually settled down, intent on watching such a talented group of performers.63

The show ended amidst cheers and applause. The dancers took a collective bow and as the curtains closed the audience began to shout and applaud even louder. “Bring back the frog. We want the frog”. 64

“Go... take another bow, Fritz. They want you out there again”, they all urged excitedly as they pushed him between the closed curtains. Fritz bowed discreetly at first, then the crowd went wild as he bowed again and again. As he started to prance off the stage, stopping to bow once more, they began to shout again. “More, more”. Fritz didn’t know what to do, he just kept prancing until he was once again off stage. The audience wasn’t satisfied. “Fritz, Fritz, we want Fritz”, they shouted in unison. 65

“Go, Fritz, do an encore”, demanded Marty. “Give them what they want”. Marty knew a hit when he saw it and Fritz was definitely a hit. Once again, hat in hand, cane tucked under his arm, Fritz pranced onto the stage and took yet another bow. Then as the crowd roared and the musicians played he began to dance…and dance... and dance. He danced until he was nearly exhausted but never lost his smile and his exuberance. 66

Fritz had made it. He was a success. He would be famous. He would be rich. And he would have his princess.67

*****68

In the months and years to come Fritz performed nearly every night in one theater or another, always the main attraction, always the one who drew the crowds. He moved from his home in the park to a nice hotel. He insisted on having a room with a pool and had fresh flower petals delivered daily. Much to the disdain of the hotel management he would have a small supply of algae delivered a few times a week as well.69

His life was good, he had friends in the business, nice clothes, money to spend. And he was doing what he loved most. Well, almost anyway. He still loved his princess more than anything else in the world. 70

He had invested his money wisely and saved a great deal, too. It had now been more than three years since he had come to seek his fortune in the city and he had done extremely well. His investments were paying big dividends, his savings had grown equally as well. He now felt he could return to his princess with pride and she would accept him with all her love. 71

He gave his farewell performance, shipped his belongings back to the farm, bade his friends farewell and began his return trip the way he had started all those years ago on that dusty road between the city and the pond he called home.72

.....to be continued.....73

Dee Garner74

June 19, 2004