Image via surrey-arg.org.uk
So there we were, minding our own business, eating Sunday lunch a cinq at our local munchery as the rain pelted down outside, when this frog flew in through the door at a rate of knots.
Breathless and death-defying, the little amphibian did not stop to appraise the audience which was gawping with mouths which were possibly a little too wide given the company.
Leaping in crazy-cornered directions he managed to develop a trail of flustered waiters and waitresses as he flipped and flopped under and over guest’s tables, threatening the very dishes the paying public were poised to eat.
It was all great fun. Here was chaos, not even organised. Somewhere in my head, the theme to Mission Impossible was playing.
This was Action Frog. Wadda Guy.
He flip-flopped around, leading his black-and-white entourage up-table and down-aisle until he reached the rustic stable-door exit. At which moment a flighty waitress opened the latch, squeaking uncontrollably, and the frog catapulted out into the great outdoors: namely, the Beer Garden.
How did he know it was there? We can never be sure. But my best guess is that he was dared by his mates to streak through a restaurant peopled with humans who generally eat the legs of his compatriots.
I never saw him again. But I did recall a scene I have seen of late, on BBC’s ‘Life’ nature programme. It concerns a frog of some considerable ability.
In essence, BBC editors and soundtrack maestros give the frog the Hollywood treatment. There’s this snake creeping up on this tiny toad/frog character, and the snake’s all flickering tongue and glossy wicked-black livery and you’re thinking how? How is this tiny warty chap ever going to get out of this?
And the music goes all tense as the frog comes eye to eye with the snake and we anticipate him shuffling off this mortal coil.
But the frog has other ideas. He flings himself off the leaf of doom and takes a suicidal drop, plummeting down through the greenery of a rainforest, gathering a lethal momentum until he manages, unbelievably, to grab a twig and haul himself to safety.
It’s beautifully done: worth the watch. An object lesson in how to handle a Bad Day.
Frogs and toads have hidden talents too: their skins can exude toxins, and even substances which could be used as recreational drugs. Licking toads, I am advised, can be extremely dangerous.
So: don’t try that one at home.
Because The Church Of The Toad Of Light recommended something similar, back in a 1984 leaflet which has found its doubtful way onto the global cyber highway.. You can find instructions for milking a toad and then using its venom to transport yourself, figuratively, to another dimension.
The pamphlet’s author tells us: “Within thirty seconds, there will be an onset of almost overwhelming psychedelic effects. You will be completely absorbed in a complex chemical event characterized by an overload of thoughts and perception, brief collapse of the EGO, and loss of the space-time continuum…..and, most likely, you will experience a euphoric mood interspersed with bursts of unmotivated laughter.”
All this from milking a toad.
Little wonder that they are the stuff of fairy tales.
It’s the Russian ones I like the best: raw gruesome tale-telling to unsettle the little ones before bedtime.
Once upon a time, three princes were sent out to search for a consort.
They all shot arrows out of the castle to find their sweethearts. Naturally.
The eldest found a noblewoman, the second a merchant’s daughter. But the third landed in a swamp, and the youngest, Prince Ivan, must marry a frog.
The frog, of course, was no ordinary frog. She was disobedient to her father, and he turned her into a little amphibian as punishment.
Deeply sweet-natured, the frog was ever patient with her husband. When his father set challenges for the three wives- bread-baking, rug-weaving – she excelled and outstripped her sisters-in-law. When the three wives were invited to present themselves she shed her frog skin, and filled the palace with grace and beauty.
Ivan saw the skin, and his chance, and he burnt it so she could never go back to her other form.
But enchantments are never straightforward: far from banishing the frog form, he perpetuated it, and his wife must leave him forever.
There began a romp which includes many of the Russian nightmare figures: Kostshei the deathless, that terrifying wizard-boyar; and Baba Yaga, the child-eating witch. Some versions of The Frog Princess even have a happy ending: some, not so much.
The frog is a most unlikely action hero: not handsome or significant, but plucky and honourable. He rivals Tom Cruise with his stunts, while the princess-frog enchants the highest in the land with her ingenuity.
But my favourite froggie action hero must be the character who took a bet with his amphibious mates and hared, for a few crazy minutes, around a Berkshire pub, in valiant search of a beer garden.
He has captured our hearts, spindly frogs legs and all.
Regulars will have spotted this repost……happy days.
Kate Shrewsday 
A streaking frog! You had me fooled. From your title, I was expecting to hear about a child’s toy.
Real frogs are such superheroes, PT 😀
We get a little plague of frogs, from the pond in the field next door, each year. The swimming pool is their nemesis as once they are in they can’t get out. I made a small raft for them to climb on to, where they would be safe until I saw them and did the masculine version of a Grace Darling. As with so many plans, it did not turn out well. The raft, drawn by the current created by the pump, blocked the skimmer meaning no water entered the racing pump, which in turn overheated and blew up,
Oh, dear, even the helpless variety of frog can cause chaos, Roger…
Delightful post Kate 😀
Enjoyed being transported from that Berkshire Pub to Russia and back again!
It’s a roller coaster ride here, Madhu 😀
Why is being a frog such a punishment? Thank goodness Kermit came along and upped his fellow amphibians’ status. 🙂
Now that is one personable frog, IE…
Great story, Kate, we never heard that one when it happened, but enjoyed it now.
Dad
Do you know, I had forgotten all about it until I re-read this, Dad! Amazing what we save by writing this stuff down.
Frogs are welcome to take an encore
…although at an eatery I am not quite so sure, Sidey…
As long as they escape…
Love it! A streaking toad. Sounds like spring vacation for college students in Florida!
Our dear Jennifer once pet a toad. I told her not to, but, well, daughters don’t lean toward a listen, especially when a handsome young man is standing by. Still, I warned her. She pet the toad as if it were a cat. The toad sat there, on a cement block, still as can be – the excreted the most vile glob one can imagine, which was ten times the size of the toad.
Lesson learned; and she married the handsome young man.
Sometimes empirical evidence is the only thing which works, Penny 😀
I’m not a big fan of animals without fur (along with some animals with fur…), but I’m glad the restaurant hopper made it out unscathed. I’m also glad he didn’t land in somebody’s soup. That ought to guarantee a scream and a free meal.
I think the free meal would be well deserved, Carrie 😀
A hopping good tale, Kate . . . and synchronistic.
My latest post features a frog trio ~ Freddy, Betty, and Teddy. 😀
I shall be over shortly, Nancy!
If Action Frog had only hopped into your bag, Kate, he could have joined the Shrewsday animal kingdom even though Mac and Bond might have joined furry forces to vote him out of the forest.
Alas, I fear his shelf-life would be fleeting in the company of the cat in the black DJ, Lame.
Great tale, Kate! And the link to the BBC film ~ even knowing from your spoiler what was coming, ah, I realized I was watching with my mouth dropping open and the suspense. When that little arm catches that twig – ooorrraaahhh!
It makes the jaw drop every time, doesn’t it?
That must have been an amazing sight, Kate. I find frogs fascinating, too. Protection of some California species are political hot potatoes as they fall under ecological protection laws which often seriously impede the plans and livelihoods of developers and farmers. These little amphibians send opposing parties into the courts for multi-million dollar debates. I follow these stories carefully rooting for the frog, realizing I’m glad I’m not a decision-maker, because I’m not always sure I’m responding logically, or fairly. I loved the Russian fairytale characters, too. Sometimes they make Grimm sound cheery!
Not a chance would I touch a frog. Not for love nor money 🙂
I’ve always loved frogs and toads. Especially after reading the Wind in the Willows as a kid. I heard the song “Froggie went a’courting and he did ride, a sword and a pistol by his side, uh huh” and loved it.
My favorite frogs (or toads) or the little ones that cling to the screen. It seems they can leap to 2nd story heights. Loved your yarn, Kate, although I’m sorry the Frog Princess didn’t remain human and live happily ever after with her prince.
I think I prefer your frog to the Tom Cruise mentioned in your post. but where was your camera at the time did you not have your mobile with you to take some shots?