Tree Frogs, Unicorns and Other Creatures

By Margaret McCarthy

Tree Frogs, Unicorns and Other Creatures by Margaret Mccarthy

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9781662485046

Margaret McCarthy

Margaret Harper McCarthy is assistant professor of theological anthropology at the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at The Catholic University of America, Washington DC.

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Tree Frogs, Unicorns and Other Creatures

Margaret Mccarthy

Copyright © 2023 Margaret McCarthy

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2023

ISBN 978-1-6624-8502-2 (pbk)

ISBN 978-1-6624-8504-6 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Obi and the King

Well, That's Another Story

Obi Is Homesick

Only Obi Knows

As Piper Sees It

A Unicorn's Quest

Small Worlds

A Day with the Animals

Fur and Feathers

Oops!

Marigold

Fly Witness

Obi and the King

Things are not always as they seem. At first glance, you may think this story is about a little tree frog, nothing more. Although you will find there is much more happening here.

A great castle stood towering above a small village surrounded by a beautiful green valley. Beyond the valley was a dense forest which hid the village from outsiders passing by along the dirt road that led to other neighboring towns.

Castle Gala was home to King Gyro, a chubby happy fellow; his beautiful daughter, Princess Tianny; all the king's servants; bravest soldiers; special knight; his loyal dog, Piper; and cranky cat known as Scooter.

The king was well-loved by all his people. His wise decisions concerning the welfare of his people along with his kindness made their little world a happy place to be. At the end of each month, the king would have his cook prepare special tasty treats to celebrate the end of one month and the beginning of another.

Musicians played tunes on flutes while the court jester told jokes, sang funny songs, dancing, and jumping about, making everyone laugh.

Behind the castle wall, a little beyond the forest, was a dark, swampy marshland. Village people often whispered about strange creatures living there. Huge crafty snakes and dangerous lizards hid inside hollow tree trunks lying on the leaf-covered muddy ground.

The larger creatures kept out of sight until they could leap out, attacking smaller creatures in an instant!

The largest, meanest snake living in the marshland ruled the area.

He did not even like the other snakes who lived around him! When he slithered through the mud searching his for food, all the other creatures hid in fear!

A group of tiny tree frogs with large red eyes lived in the lush green forest. Obi was the smallest, being the youngest. He had been warned by the others about the snakes in the marshland. They made him promise to always stay close to his home at the top of his tree.

The end of a tree branch was the safest place to be because it is thin and cannot support a big heavy snake.

Happy to remain high up in his tree, Obi knew someday there would be changes in his young life. This is called growing up.

Each day, he hopped about on his tree enjoying the warm sunshine steaming through the leaves. At times, he would hang upside down from a huge leaf to think.

At Castle Gala, there was great excitement! Princess Tianny would be marrying Prince Alan soon. The castle was being cleaned from the tallest tower all the way down to the dungeon, which had not been used in the past four hundred years or so, except for storage.

With preparations well underway, this was a happy time for everyone including the village people who would join in the celebration as well.

The men made certain all the roads were clear from fallen tree branches using the wood to create a huge bonfire for the evening's regal event. Colorful banners were placed along the road leading to the castle announcing the upcoming event.

One day in the marshland,

A big mean snake became bored and decided it was time to stir up a little trouble! Waiting until the sun began to set in the western sky, he slithered his way out of the marshland in the direction of the forest. The other snakes followed him.

Birds in the trees chirped warnings as creatures, all types and sizes, scattered every which way, doing their best to get out of his way!

It did not take long to disrupt the peaceful forest.

Obi noticed something stirring within the tall grass. He saw his friends, large and small, scatter in all directions, doing their best to find safety, trying to hide themselves from the menacing creatures slithering toward them! But the snakes were much too fast!

As Obi watched from his tree wondering what to do, a large snake began winding his way up toward him. With only moments to spare, Obi remembered a hole higher up on his tree just big enough for him to slip into. Acting quickly, into the hole he went, sliding down inside the hollow tree all the way to the ground! While the snake continued climbing