Bob Taylor's Magazine, Vol. I, No. 1, April 1905

by Various

Mrs. Rabbit watched her guest depart and when out of hearing almost hissed: “Horrid thing! I don’t see what brings her here. I wish Mr. Moccasin-snake or Mr. Hawk would come along and catch her. She just came here to show that green dress because she knew neither myself nor my children have a stitch to wear but these old grey gowns trimmed with fur, and here it is the middle of summer.”

Mrs. Rabbit returned home just as Mr. Rabbit, who had been to mill with a turn of corn to have ground into flour to make bread for Sunday dinner, turned the corner.

Mrs. Frog Returns Home.

Mrs. Frog swam rapidly over the glassy surface and she noticed that a golden pathway led from where she was to the sun that hung low in the west at the other end of the lake. This narrow pathway she could not cross, which alarmed her, as she fancied she was held fast by it, and could make no headway. The ripples caused by her efforts broke this golden mirror into many sparkling fragments; but, farther away, it lay undisturbed and placid. On looking at the trees the other side of her she saw that she was making excellent progress and that, instead of the sun’s pathway detaining her, it was following her. Her alarm gave way to gladness at being accompanied by such a splendid convoy—people sometimes fret over the slow progress which they think they are making, when, in reality, they are traveling very fast. She eluded Mr. Hawk and Mr. Moccasin-snake by diving when near the shore and then hurrying up the bank to the door of her house. On looking back she discovered that the sun’s bright pathway did not follow her but remained below on the lake—there are places into which things that we prize will not accompany us.

On entering she found confusion and disorder. The dishes on which the cold midday meal had been served lay spread on the table. The Baby Frogs were unkempt and disheveled and some of them were crying. The youngest one had cried itself to sleep. Mr. Frog was a sight to behold. He was almost frantic and went about tripping over bits of furniture and clothing that were strewn on the floor. His face was inflamed and he greeted Mrs. Frog hoarsely with: “What on earth kept you so late? I thought you would never come! These children have set me almost crazy with their mischief and carrying-on. I wouldn’t put in another day like this for anything. You shouldn’t inflict on me such misery when I told you to be back before night.”

Mrs. Frog’s cheeriness, gained from her outing, was something abated; but she set about to right matters and put things in order. She reminded Mr. Frog that the sun had not yet set; but he did not hear, or feigned not to hear her. He went out and hopped down the way to Mr. Toad’s house, where he supped and talked about the coming election of a new king of the forest, which was growing smaller every year. Mr. Lion and Mr. Tiger and Mr. Wolf had gone away and it was reported that Mr. Bear intended moving farther West because his only brother was dead. Mr. Wildcat would be a candidate and so would Mr. Fox, but neither was admired.

Meantime Mrs. Frog busied herself about the house. The Baby Frogs came out from their hiding places where they had been driven, in terror, by their angry father. She dried their tears and dressed them for supper which she prepared. Deftly she put everything in place and restored order and soon smiles and laughter returned to her little ones. She waited supper until late and then told the Baby Frogs to eat and be ready to go to the concert in the marsh when Mr. Frog came. She ate nothing. After supper she waited until far into the night and one by one the Baby Frogs fell asleep and were put to bed. When all was still and the fire burned low she sat holding her Baby Frog that was considered “odd” on her knee. She wondered if it were very wrong in her to go away and enjoy herself as she had done when so much unhappiness resulted. The thought came to her that Mr. Frog did not love her else he would have reflected that the crosses and trials borne by him so impatiently for one day were her usual portion and that she had to bear them every day in the year and meet him pleasantly and with smiles in the evening or be charged with ill-temper and making home unpleasant. She hugged her Baby Frog that was considered “odd” closer to her. It had taken cold, because left to sleep without covering while she was away. Then she blamed herself and resolved never to go away again and fell to crying and upbraiding herself.

Very late at night or early in the morning Mr. Frog came home in great spirits. His countenance was beaming. He had tarried late at Mrs. Toad’s house and halted on the way home to hear the songs of Mr. Whippoorwill and Mr. Mocking-bird, and to see the fine display given by Mr. Fire-fly. When he found Mrs. Frog crying he scowled at her and said gruffly: “What’s the matter now? If gadding about has this effect on you, you had better stay at home and not tire yourself out traipsing around seeing people who care nothing for you.” Then he flung himself down to sleep.

Mrs. Frog, with her Baby Frog that was considered “odd” held close in her arms, also went to bed where her tears flowed in secret. She did not know the meaning of those tears; they came unbidden. She fancied she had done something very wrong and she fell asleep only when exhaustion came.

It is most unfortunate that those who make sacrifices for others are never noticed or given credit for them and that they are cruelly reproached when those sacrifices halt, temporarily, or wholly cease. It is most unfortunate that we inflict pain on those we love, in our thoughtlessness, and that they suffer this pain without always knowing its source.