WFFF

Post #5 (6/23/26)

This story has a simple problem and a simple smart solution. In this story, Frog wanted to hang out with Toad because Spring had just arrived. Beautiful and wholesome things Frog wanted to do with Toad: “We will skip thru the meadows and run thru the woods and swim in the river. In the evenings we will sit right here on this front porch and count the stars.” The problem is Toad was sleeping and had been sleeping since November and refused to wake up no matter what Frog said, even when he said he would be lonely without Toad. Solution: Frog looked at the calendar and saw that the November page was still on top. He tore off the November page and other subsequent months until May. Only when he showed Toad the calendar with May on top that Toad agreed to climb out of bed.

(1) What I like: the simple solution of tearing up the months on the real calendar.

(2) Why I like it: Surprise! I was surprised by the silly yet smart solution. Smart is not the correct word here but what I am trying to say is the problem seems silly but it’s actually common in our culture. Many of us stay inside for a big part of the year, and there were times when I was only made aware of the arrival of spring when the calendar turned to April. There were times when I walked around my neighborhood with my headphone on, completely in my head, and unaware of how nature had changed around me.

(3) Writing techniques: The association in this story is Spring = paper calendar when it should be Spring = sun shining, snow melting, flowers blooming…

This is a surprise. It shows two different kinds of associations, one is natural while the other one is artificial. “I told you something about nature but you won’t believe me unless I show you something artificial.”

(4) Artificial/human-made association: Clock = time of day, ie morning, afternoon, evening

Nature: Bird chirping, dew, sunrise = morning

Hot sun, breeze = afternoon

Sunset, cool air, breeze, moon/stars coming out = evening

Example 2: I’m rich but you won’t believe unless I show you money.

Example 3: I’m married but you won’t believe me unless I show you my wedding ring.

Example 4: I’m the king but you won’t believe me unless I show you my crown.

Example 5: You’re speeding but you won’t believe me unless I tell you to look at the speedometer.

Example 6: You’re overweight but you won’t believe me unless you stand on a scale.

Example 7: I think the flower is beautiful but I won’t believe it unless you and many others agree with me.

I like #7 and the clock the most and will write a story about one of them.