Hi! My name is Foggy. I want to tell you a story happened with me long time ago. When my friends in the swamp vanquished me, well, I can say that I deserved what happened to me…I do not know. Anyway, I guess you want to know why. I will tell you what happened from the very beginning.
I used to live in the Dark Lane swamp…Man! What a swamp? Everything in that place was fabulous; the flowers were bloomy till the knees. Not my knees, you know whose… right? The water was like a blue fairy swimming a long a magical lake. When I look in it, I used to remember Snow Whites stepmother asking her mirror about the prettiest woman in the world. Of course, I am not a woman, really, I am even too far to be one, so I splash the water with nervousness stuck in my carefree mind… whatever, the place, for me as a frog, was cool with beautiful landscapes.
In the swamp, I used to live with the little warms…I mean the Littles family…well, as they were little, very little... You know. They used to wake up every morning to see their kids taking the floating leaves going to school… Oh, yes! What nice kids were they Loly and Lue?
They were amazing, especially, when they try to eat the green stuff stuck in the water, we call it the moss, what a weird name?
In addition, I remember Mr. Jump. He was so fast in leaping and springing just like a piece of rubbers, he was so polite, so…passionate, and so green for a grasshopper. His hat used to be black that you cannot see the feelers on his head... I mean…if he had once ones…
I still remember how he penetrates my nerves, while enjoying the scene of Miss Kita playing with her friends, without any announcement or alarm, to tell me: ," Good morning Sir, what a lovely day, isn't it?, but not lovelier than the corns in Mr. Rocks field. Yummy! I can hardly wait him to leave in order to taste some…!!".
So I say, but still gazing with my both eyes: ," Yeh, what a gorgeous day..!!", and when I try to focus on the scene again after the interruption of the nice-rude jumper, I see that Miss Kita has left with her verdant, colored company. Then I turn my face away…but never get rid of that slimy gambit.
Yes… those days... I wish they come back all over again. I could touch that memory where the moon fairy…Ah, the moon fairy, man! She was one of her kind. Yes, never seen like her before. She was and still the friend in need, indeed.
I wish I were there all the time and never left in that gloomy day… Yes, it was wrong to leave. Anyway, there is no use of wishing now…
It was one of the nicest and mildest nights had ever passed to say hello over the Dark Lane swamp. The moon was full; the swamp was enlightened by the small torches. The other citizens in the swamp, not without me of course, were supposed to meet in the Littles to celebrate "the fullmoon night" as usual. At that night, we drank a tasteful juice made by Mrs. Little and ate a chocolate- stuffed cake baked by Miss Kita.
When everything was over and people were about to leave, I started the discussion which I have been obviously anxious to begin since the party was in the hot ray. It was, again, my suggestion to run the Dark Lane as a rest house for the emigrant birds, homeless cockroaches, and cobra snakes who find no place to accept them as guests till their next trip.
Suddenly, Mr. Little gave a big snore then cried ,"Are you mad? Do you want us to get killed? These things are dangerous…we…can't! Besides, I've told you thousand times that the place is not big enough for birds, are you stupid?
I stood unwilling to move, then hesitated, I replied:, " WWhat if we did it…I mean…we could be richer…and just then…you could pay for your kids the school fees, or…or pay for the fish to give Loly and Lue a ride instead of trying to eat them".
The gap between Mr. Little and me became greater and greater. I myself felt nervous as everybody were surprised over my frequent suggestion…I cannot imagine why?
Everything was quiet and, for a moment, I felt myself in a dark cave, could hear nothing but the whistles of the stormy winds outside, before Big- Rat opens his small, tiny mouth to talk with a cunning, thin voice: ," Maybe we could look at the shiny side of this matter …I mean that his offer is quite good for us, especially, that our life is simple and easy, and needs someone to improve it for our own good !!".
After these words, Mr. and Mrs. Little went red; they were not acceptable at all. Mr. Little yelled with his extreme voice that it looked like he's been in the oven a minute ago: ,"Well, nobody asked you to talk or open your blabbing mouth!" Big- Rat replied but with less stressed voice:, "I am just trying to help!", when Mr. Little surprised him with a flashing reply: ,"We are not making a questionnaire down here, are we...!!", and before he could continue his words, a cracking noise seemed to be heard by all of us. It was near just like in the next room. When Mr. Jump was careful while opening the door to know what is going on out there, he became paler to see a big bird landing like a helicopter on the grassy ground of the Lane, filling it with his wings that you cannot see a zone to step on.
Mr. Jump screamed, after being filled with horror, in fuzz, and then ran towards us to take cover. At that time, the animals rushed to know what is going on, but I myself did not. I know you are all going to ask me why, well the answer is simple, no…it is not because I am brave…Well, for instant I am!!, but it is not the reason. I wanted them to come sending an ad to announce that the Dark Lane is able to receive visitors in the status cue, but I did not expect them to arrive so soon. I made up my mind to convince the swamp with my idea…I wanted to make a surprise as they will find everything prepared after the agreement, but nothing worked as planned. Perhaps, I was mistaken.
It was not surprising to be blamed as to be overtaken by the words of Miss Kita. I launched myself to endure everything, but not that. She has been so nice and kind with me like a white cat to its owner; however, in that part of time, which was as long as a century, she seemed to be…different. Her ,"How could you do this?!!" and the frowning face she met me with, made me think about my priorities in life all over again. She broke all the fair and sweet images I have been drawing over the passing years. In that day, the mirror was broken. She was angry, but unwilling to break my heart using another knife. Just then, all my dreams about "Will you marry me?" were stabbed right in the chest.
A second later, the second stab came along, jogging, just like a leech and I stood watching. ,"You didn't even ask us about the matter, you selfish frog!!"
O, baby! I Remember, that was the second one. Talking about it, the third was in a flavor of a punch right in the face. After that, I opened my eyes to notice myself being out of a place. I did not know where I am. The only thing was in the big pumpkin I had in that grimy minute, which seemed for me to be a month, is that nothing will go on well from now on. I took my hands and legs to get up. While that, an idea twinkled like a brilliant star in the unpredictable mind, it was that I have been through many situations in my life history and they were all much, much better than the one I witnessed that day. All the hands were crossed, all the eyes were gouged to star at me, seriously, I felt like a dead owl.
I was afraid to be killed, particularly, that Mrs. Rat was holding the knife that I supposed it to be for the kitchen. I used to believe that this kind of stuff is used to cut food, but the idea of being under that blade was really…a nightmare!! Luckily, the moon fairy was there to save the day. She stood right before me saying firmly that it is, absolutely, not one of my intentions to heart the swamp mass counting the modest merits which have been done by me, of course, some of them where heard for the first time or maybe happened long time ago. I cannot remember…
Before continuing her melody, which amused me to hear, a group of insulting and swearing words aimed to hit me, had flown here and there. I could not avoid any of them and I could not endure or adapt what was going on. I knew then that, willy nilly, I should leave. Actually, they did not wait till I decide, but fired me as a sleepy worker.
Yes, I left the Lane for the first time since being a baby in the cradle. I left my home, which I thought it will be mine and my grandsons, forever. I have been afraid to go one yard away from the swamp, but then the far, far away has become my exile to the rest of the rest.
My face, in whole my trip out of the Lane, was in a frowning shape that the wrinkles in my forelock has become like a zee letter. I stood on the barrow which is located couple yards away from the place, looking at the big birds which still there as I left them, staring at the Littles, wishing to get back home with all my will and heart; sitting in the fog, in the dark, in the shade, invisible, unable to move, with no friends, no company, no life, and no Dark Lane anymore.
Ah,…Man! How could it possibly end that way? How dare I mess everything up? At least I have myself, my legs, my hands, and my shadow to talk with… who am I kidding with? I was completely alone in the fog!!. I thought of getting back there and let what will happen, happens. However, while thinking and diving in my thoughts, I have noticed something coming forward towards me. Gazing and gazing, and coming closer and closer, I started to form an image about the mysterious traveler coming directly from out there, coming closer and closer, damn, it was a bee. I could not avoid; she was so close and fast that blocked the way. You could imagine what happened next. No, I did not have the chance to eat her as a frog because I was broken heart, besides she began the speech by ,"Hey man! Watch out" and I like this way of talking, it is somewhat…Friendly.
"Someone could cut your head while flying up here!" the bee said flying back to catch my words as I replied ,"What? What are you talking about? You flow down here, I did not jump". Then I heard a big Wow coming from her throat followed by ,"You are a foggy frog, right?" You had better know that she did not notice bugs eater and Froggy shadow at all. Additionally, I did not understand what does she mean, so I asked her, she answered me that the foggy frogs are some toads who live in the Foggy swamp.
Actually, she was surprised that I am not one of them and I was blocked for the fact that there is a swamp nearby, but the most bizarre thing for her was to hear my Dark Laned roots saying ," Well, I pity you, I am terribly sorry about what happened ?!!". My sadness made me reply, "Yeh, we are all sorry!!" without even thinking about why should we be sorry, as the bee is not one of the Dark Lane mass. None of that was in the mind, but when it became, I figured out that the bee had crossed a big distance that I can see her as a dot roaming in the air.
Continuing my way in the foggy passage, I remembered the melody, which I used to amuse myself with, retrieving the whole thing happened with me days ago. Then, a brainwave cleaved my thinking of combining everything altogether saying: Tam Ti…Tam Ti…Tam Ti, I am walking alone, holding…a bone, O man! I need a phone, to call the Lane, over again….
Aiming nowhere, I walked between the grass and the hey, smelling the red flowers in my way without seeing them, and trying to forget that bad, grimy day to find ,accidentally, one of the most brilliant scenes my sight ever discerned. The green, verdant trees were wherever I look, the flowers were dancing in a wonderful regular shape and the whole place is following the same symphony in the same dance. I could not avoid being involved in that thrilling picture, my feet started the whole thing, and then I became like John Travolta in his glorious times. There, I have seen something charming …something reminded me of the Dark Lane swamp; something made me forget all my sadness and grief leaving them back behind, something… as I could call it…magnificent.
The first character I had to meet, while doing the frogs dance, was a butterfly. I did not want to scare her, but I am crazy about this kind of insects, they are…tasty.
I prevented myself from touching her because if I did, my tongue will press her inside without any declaration, and I would not let this happen. My eyes were fixed on her, looking…no gazing with hunger to eat, but I could not, she started the conversation saying, "watch out" and took me with my memories back to the day that I met the bee, it was really a nice bee!!
I pretended to be polite with her as a gentleman and said ," Pardon me Miss!!", she questioned my existence in that place, so I answered that I am foreigner from the Dark Lane, she wondered for a while thinking that she must have heard about it. Believe me! She has finally noticed that I am a frog and went to ask me if I am willing to eat her, preparing herself to fly away and never wish to come back unlike the bee, but I answered : ," No Miss, I am flyterian without a butter, I am following a diet", a simple tricky answer. She spent a long time to catch my answer then left like a speedometer in a Ford. That was the first time I feel that I am a good joker, but the weirdest thing, which I cannot understand till now that she did not laugh!!
I leaped for a long distance to catch some insects, just like the delicious butterfly, which had been alive… once, then had a walk beside the swamp. I thanked God thousand times that I did not become discarded like the birds which were the reason behind my vanquishing, I was entertained by my shape, walking in the way, my feet on the clay, my health is very well, I am not hit by a shell, and no one here to expel…
I sensed for a moment that this place was much better than the Dark Lane swamp. It was hard to get to it, but worth it, especially, I have found freedom, nice weather, Ah… and the water…mama mia, this place took me back two years ago, when I had a visit to that dog-pot, it was fabulous…
While going beyond the place with my memories, I viewed a wonderful spectacle, a group of frogs and toads splashing the water and playing, side by side, just like a green margin between the water and the land. Suddenly, my two parted legs leaped to reach the highest point in the sky I could reach, then in the water, I dove. All of them were astonished to see me, as I am not one of them, but after days, they welcomed me forever if I wished to stay.
Days and days and days had passed, I spent them all teaching the little ones to jump in the water higher, to hunt the big bugs, and to board on the water using the green leaves on the surface; and as long as I stay between them, they become more fascinated by my abilities. I did not believe that I am involved with the whole situation. Kids love me, other animals admire me, and I have found my leader self or maybe more…
One day and while teaching the littles of the group as usual, a turtle passed to say hello as other creatures do in the swamp, breathless due to the long distance he have been crossing, and voiceless trying to catch his breath. His face was full of wrinkles; I was in surprise, as he did not seem like this before getting closer. ,"Hello Mr. Froggy! having a nice day?" he said unable to breathe, while I replied saying: ,"Foggy it is and yeh, spending a nice time training these kids".
But then, it seemed that he was anxious to say something, I told him to speak up, and he did, I wished I have never asked him to. He questioned me about the place of my living before coming to the foggy swamp as he has never knew about it , that part was OK with me, so I answered him that I used to live in the Dark Lane swamp and right from here the problems have started.
I could remember it deeply ," What?…What? You mean the Dark Lane before the fog begins to fill the borders of this place?" He asked full of surprise while I replied by saying "exactly", but his nerves could not endure more and so with the other animals. They all said an audible ,"What???" that I thought the echo will tat my eardrum. I asked them if they have ever heard about it, just then the unbelievable answer sat the fire again in my chest. I wondered for a moment thinking that they were kidding, but no kidding, they told me about the breaking news from the Dark Lane. They did told me about the birds who had occupied the Dark Lane after buying it from a traitor frog, without even asking the citizens there, then, escaped and never returned or has been seen again.
I did not believe what my ears did listen to a second ago; it was like a dream, no…not a dream. It was a scary nightmare. The turtle held his tongue for a tick then continued: ," …and the whole place have become like slaves under their command…". The surprise could not leave the expressions of my face, that was all wrong, the problem has not finished yet, I thought by my leaving everything will return normal, I cursed myself, I hated myself, I denied myself…
Not just this, but the turtle has told me that a family of worms called the Littles escaped from being eaten by the birds and now they moved in to the Melody swamp next doors. I thought and thought and thought; I thought of the Littles scared, sick, and hopeless; I thought of Miss Kita used as a servant for these ugly birds; I thought of the little frogs being pecked by these unmerciful things…No, No It cannot be….
I asked one of the frogs about whether they are sure about what are they saying, he answered me ,"Positive, I can show you too !!", and so he led my way to the Melody swamp where the Littles are supposed to be.
We jumped and jumped, with each jump, my heart leaps to my utmost head and then fells down like a bounced ball. When we arrived, it was horrible, it was dark, and full of street animals, which we are all afraid of. While walking, one of the swamps fiercest frogs had a glance at me by the eye, then came closer and still staring, but saying: ,"Hi, pal! Looks new!!" The banging part was not here, it happened in the rest, I could not imagine that the frog in my company has been living in this dismal, gloomy place, once. I realized, then, that the fierce one was staring at him not me.
He answered back the bad looking frog by the same sentence, but this time with a shake of hands and a friendly hit by the shoulder, seriously, I felt that they served in the army together, hand by hand. As a result, I left the talking part to the male frog as a professional in dealing with this type of …guys.
To make the long story short, I asked him to question that frog about the Littles; nevertheless, the ugly refused to tell us about their place unless we give him something worthfull. I myself was not convinced, therefore requested my fellow to go and implore someone else, yet he did not agree, telling me that he owns couple flies could be paid for that greedy frog.
At first, my friend refused to give him anything claiming his poverty and saying that it is an emergency, but wish no luck, his all efforts came to nothing despite his intelligence. Soon enough, he agreed to give up doing the bargain and paying the insects.
Eventually, the prince did pronounce the magical words " Go left in the garbage dump and you'll find them" I was disturbed by the smell of that nasty frog, accordingly, jumped away from the two figures, after the end of the speech, leaving them thanking each other, still, heard the odd joking and saying ," little hi, little hao, man", Ah…that was really annoying.
Ultimately, my fellow followed me jumping here and there, clutching the straw he used to hold, and trying to reach me to lead my way as he did at the beginning of the trip. When we got to the aimed place, we have seen a big falcon trying to find some meat to eat; he gazed here and around, only found nothing. He did set his eyes on us, therefore flow towards our green color to know who we are. Then, he had a clear image about the two skinny frogs we were when the male frog beside me tried to convince him about our tasteless flesh. The falcon looked at him disgusted like he has never seen something worst than us, even in the dump, then said: ,"Are you stupid? I don't eat the like of you!" despising, right? I wanted to change the subject so I asked his knowledge of the place and if he has seen a family of worms. He answered: ,"Yes, I live here and no, I have not seen a family of worms around here" I wondered if he could fly around and tell us if he could see them, and so he did.
The falcon spread his wings and flattered them using the feathers up there, he flow high in the sky, fixed his eyes on the dump in order to make sure that he is not missing any part of it. At long last, he landed on specific patch in the dump and began to talk, I thought he found them and that what I did discovered later ," Hi guys!" The falcon talked, the Littles family took a step back with some screams of horror from the side of Loly and Lue ,"Please sir, do not harm us. We did nothing wrong to harm you !! ". The falcon gave a strong laugh then said, "Nothing wrong to harm me? You gotta be kidding, right?!! Anyway, two frogs have sent me looking for you and here you are flesh and blood, they said they wanna meet you". Big astonishing marks has been drawn on Mr. Littles face then asked: "Two frogs?" the falcon answered ,"Yeh, I'll bring them if you want, just give me a minute".
The falcon flow back to us and showed us the place to jump till we reach it, "Thanks man" the male frog said and the falcon replied: "You are most welcome!!". Transporting using our legs, we got there. I knew that I will not be welcomed by the Littles that is why I was afraid to face them. When we are there, Mr. Little received our existence by a cry…actually, more than this!! He called me a selfish rot and pushed me to leave throwing rubbish on my friend and me. I wanted to make it clear that I was not up to no good, but…I guess it was …too late…
On the other hand, the male frog discovered my real character of being the true reason behind losing the Dark Lane swamp. Man! When the problems come, they come all at once. He became so angry and hard to be described at that moment, particularly, when I told him: "Maybe, I was a little bit selfish", he exploded the bomb of "Ah…A little…A little bit??". I imagined him as an unbeatable storm and it will crash me any minute, and what made it worse that Mr. Little told both of us that he has no home and nowhere to go ". Even my kids cannot go to school anymore", it still flashes in my brain till now, but what can I do? What happened had happened and it is done.
The worst was waiting me in the Foggy swamp after the heavy discussion between the male frog and me. He accused me of betraying my friends and deceiving them. Moreover, at the moment we arrived to the swamp, he told everybody that I am the evil frog who sold the Dark Lane swamp to the birds. Small and big Os were drawn on their faces; some of them could not believe it and others were shocked of the bad news. They were all interested in me, but suddenly the welcoming face features were erased by this headline. The little ones began to argue about the matter, seriously, nobody stood in the line against me except when one of the old frogs asked me: " Are you that frog or not?" and I answered him" Yes, but…" he did not let me continue my sentence to tell them that they missed understanding the thing, and that I did not sell the Dark Lane swamp, but with no good.
The same idea pierced my eye, the same scene I have seen before, the same faces, the same hands, and the same knife. I expected what happened before to happen now, so I preferred to leave this view going directly to the lake of the swamp. There, everything was black, I could not see anything, I thought for a moment that my bad deed will chase me forever; I cannot escape it or face it. I imagined my condition in the nowhere just as if the discarded, bad animals who nobody expects them to live in a respectable place. At that time, I realized that how trifle, how jerk, and how idiot I was.
"I thought you good, I thought you the best frog I have ever seen!!", " Well that is I if you like it or not". Yes, that was my reply; I did not believe that I could say something awful like that except when I did. I gazed and gazed in that lake for hours, each time I look in the water, I find shame and disgrace saying: "look where you are now, look at your ugly face, your ugly life, and your ugly desires. You look just like a goofy gopher that found a game to play, and when he wrecked it, could not fix it".
Unexpectedly, and while thinking and throwing the pebbles on my sort in the water, a weird mode appeared in the dark side of the water, it was unknown for me at the beginning, but then remembered that I have seen something like that before. It was neither an animal nor a bird, it was…a mixture. Opening my thinking chamber, I recalled where have I seen that slimy thing, it was in the Dark Lane and…she must be the moon fairy, yes the moon fairy!!
She appeared with her perfect mould, at last. I was happy to see her, I needed to see her, and willing to ask her advises which I cannot dispense. She gazed at me with her usual smile, which seemed to pity more than to blame. She draw near me, sat beside the flowers which covers the lake margin then spoke: " You know Foggy that what have you done was wrong…I know that it was not intended and I am sure that you have a pure heart just like the water of this lake!!" then continued looking at me with both eyes: " Listen, you have got to do something, something could change the way people look at you, something…Heroic, deep, and pure".
I loved the words, which were coming out from her rosy mouth. Nobody tried to encourage me to do anything since….a long time. I smiled back turning my face towards her, but surprised, found nothing. I looked for her everywhere; however, nothing was there. She vanished just like… a fairy.
For hours and hours, I remained there balancing her words in my mind. She was right, I should do something could change all this, I cannot live in that way forever, I do not accept this life; I know myself, and the moon fairy supports me so why not doing…, but what should I do? How can I turn them to be with me? I need a plan, yes; a plan will do well for that.
During my deep concentration and thorough running of brain, I heard a Froggy steps coming towards my reflection in the water. It was the elder frog who used to gaze at me without talking, then disappears straight away. Perhaps, he felt that it was the right time to talk. He approached and approached till reached my place, looking in the water with his unseen eyes, and hushing for moments and moments, "Dear son!! maybe you have done something harmful for a lot of creatures. But if you tried hard you can solve your riddle and avoid your trouble", he told me that using his vague voice. I did understand every single word he did pronounce, and meditate them deeply, then asked him:" What could I do to solve it?" .He answered me: "Think my dear son, think?" afterward he took his hilt, stood up, and returned to his hut.
Days and days of thinking with no use. I surrendered for my weakness my hatred to myself, my abject failure. "I wish there is a falcon, if there were one, just one could eat me all up and…" I screamed harshly and loudly with these words, striking the ground with my arm, and frowning my face forever, nevertheless, I stopped for seconds, remembering what have I said, then thought, " A falcon?...Why have not I think about this from the beginning? What a stupid am I?" My legs held me to jump with fresh revived mind; I jumped like the flash that blinds the eyes for my happiness.
Immediately, I returned to the Foggy swamp, I gazed in their faces, the elder was smiling, it has been a long time, as I can remember, since the last time he smiled. Then, shook his head with agreement. Obviously, the creatures there were not pleased to see me, but I was. I cried and cried: "I have found it, I have found it!" just like a mariner who have found land after a long, hard trip. One of the frogs came along to ask me what have I found. I did not reply, but called them to come around me and listen to me. None of them accepted that, they refused, not only that but they asked me to leave claiming that if I stayed longer, I will sell their swamp to any animal passes near. I begged them and begged for nothing. They have really disappointed me; I thought they would help, as I was always good to them.
As a result, I gathered myself and were about to leave. While walking towards the gate of the swamp, a keen, nice voice, which I heard before, has been clear. I could not stop my head turning back, I could not prevent it. I have been waiting the surprise for a long time. It was Miss Kita and I have never seen her in that beautiful condition she was at that moment. It was a lovely surprise. She repeated the statement she has been saying before I realize who she was. She said:" What is your plan?". I was not able to avoid her question, so I got back there and began to justify it. I was happy to see her, as I was happy to find someone could listen to me. I did not ask her how? Or why? That all was not important. The important was she is here.
My plan was simple, but dangerous. It needed strong doers to apply it; they should be accurate and sincere. "At the beginning we should sent a delegation to convince the falcon who lives in the Melody swamp to help us in this plan because as you all know falcons eat meat, not our meat but the birds. Meanwhile, the frogs will collect thousands of stones; the rats will build a catapult, as they are clever in cutting ropes and tying them together. We will use it to throw the stones on their littles, so they can learn how to fly and run a way. The littles of the frogs will collect the garbage from the Melody swamp dump and the rest of the animals will throw them on the birds. In this way they will promise us not to come back forever".
As my mouth began to move, all the animals in the swamp made a circle around me to watch and hear, the little ones left their mothers hands to come closer, the grownups were pleased to hear every part of my speech. It was wonderful. I felt myself smart, I felt myself comfortable, I felt I am just like in my lost home.
At once, the whole swamp disappeared. Each one of them went to do his particular job. The male frog left the swamp aiming to reach the Melody swamp garbage dump, with his group, in order to talk with the falcon about his role in the plan. The other frogs, considering Miss Kita, began to do their task, which is to collect stones to launch the catapult. The little ones were in the company of the male frog, as they are supposed to bring rubbish from the Melody swamp, and finally the rates had begun to design the catapult, which was the most important part of the plan.
Days and nights, days and nights we spent them doing the job. We hardly slept and scarcely had a rest, until finally, we made it. That morning, we pushed the catapult in the fog, to the same direction I have followed when I reached the borders of the Dark Lane swamp. Everything turned out to be ready when the sun reached the middle of the sky. "But how will we get in? I mean they will see us?" one of the rates wondered with an audible voice. I have not thought of that, this question did hit the spot. Then, high voices of wondering soared in the completely foggy place, which with difficulty could help our optics to notice anything around. Surprisingly, I shushed them all. I did think of something as a professional in the back up plans, but no one of them was aware of my storming plan till I spoke. I told them that the male frogs and me will pretend to be slaves from the Dark Lane, after that we will tell the swamp about our plan to join us. When everything is done, I will give them a sign, which is a green flag on the top of the Littles house, to start the fight. They asked me how they would be able to see the flag, this time, I had a ready answer, it was that the falcon and his other relatives would fly high to see it and tell you.
Beginning the implementation phase, my friends and I sneaked to the Dark Lane easily and one by one, as the birds do not have guards on their gates…I mean our gates. We got in the rat terrier, as it is the closest point to the Littles house, which is the main center of the swamp. There, we have found the rats of my swamp like Big- Rat. He yelled at me several times, but I did not care about his cries as I cared about telling them the tactic. After all, he listened and acted as he was told, and so for the rest of the animals. Soon, the news were all over the place and just needed my orders. I climbed the top of the Littles, careful, as the birds were flying here and there, then raised the flag.
You cannot imagine what had happened that moment. Suddenly, I thought that I am in the world war two, particularly because there were heads flying here and there, but that was only from my own imagination. Evantually, the plan was applied as it is, the catapult was launched every second, birds were dropping every part of it, even the moon fairy shared a remarkable role in expelling them. We saw them running unlike their kind of volatiles. Miss Kita smiled; I could not believe my eyes, so I lost my balance and saw nothing.
An hour later, I opened my eyelid to see all the animals of the two swamps crowded around me. They were all happy, every part of them, every single wrinkle in their faces referred to their great glee. "Hey man! This is not the right time to be fainted. You have got to stand up and have fun" the male frog banged me laughing and jumping. I stood up to see my swamp. My favorite lovely swamp, possessed by my pals and me again. My eyes shed in tears, they did not tell me they will, but involuntarily did it and there was no way to stop them.
Having some flashbacks of my past, I remembered all the details which themselves forced me to sling them out in our independence day. Before, I had no choice and all the events were against me, even my closest dears turned out to be my enemies, but not anymore. Now I am between my friends, lovers, and favorites. The bad nightmare is all over and now I am a hero not a bad person. I will not repeat my mistake. I will not do it once more, I promise.
At last, the day, which I dreamed whole my life to get came along without saying hi. Actually, it has come after defeating the birds, it is my wedding day. After giving a deep apology to the Littles and they all returned home, Mr. Little proposed to make our wedding the next day, while I went to ask Miss Kitta the question I was shy to pronounce whole my life which is: "Will you marry me?". Surprisingly, she accepted. I thought that she would refuse to do so after what I have done. But she told me few words made me know that she agrees: " It does not matter that you did something bad, but the most important thing that you have fixed it, so why not?". Few minutes later, I jumped and jumped to the rest of the day. That was amazing.
The next day, everything was ready. Thanks for Mrs. Little who did a great deal to prepare Miss Kitta, the cake, and the awnings of the wedding. We spent that day dancing, splashing the water, and singing with the animals from the foggy swamp. Seriously, it was an utopian day.
Ten years later…I mean now, I have four kids: Tina, Lina, ToTo, and Poo. They are all good and healthy. I love them so much and I love Kitta more than before as we lived happily ever after. I know, I should tell you more about my kids and family. Well, maybe later…
