The Frog That Couldn't Jump
Cody McCutchen
Mr. Wood's 12th Grade; Headmaster: Angel Cedillo
Holy Cross of San Antonio, Texas, USA

Henry was a happy and peaceful frog who went about his day without a care in the world. He minded his own business and lived his life in the town while trying not to get squished by any humans. Henry was an average sized frog, who looked just like all his friends and family, but there was just one problem, he couldn't jump. He was never in any pain, nor did he ever complain about his inability to jump like all the rest of the frogs.

Henry never told anyone about his problem because he was worried that the other frogs wouldn't accept him. When the other frogs would invite Henry to hop along with them, Henry would say, "It's a lovely day outside, I think I'd rather walk" or he'd just make up some other excuse. This was something that the other frogs had come to expect, but they would always ask just to be nice. Henry always wished that he could go and hop along with the other frogs, but he didn't know what to do and he was too embarrassed to ask for help.

One day Henry made up his mind that he didn't want to be left out anymore and he decided that if he ever wanted to jump, he must ask for help. He waited until it was dark outside, then he left his house and made his way to the biggest tree in the center of town; this is where the oldest and wisest frog lived. He figured that if anyone would have known what to do, it would have been the frog that has been around the longest and seen it all.

When Henry arrived at the base of the largest tree in the center of town, he found the door and knocked, but no one came to the door. So he knocked again, and as he was about to give up and leave he heard the door open. A deep and mysterious voice asked, "Who's there?" and Henry was now terrified as he stuttered and said, "It it it's me Henry." The old frog said to Henry, "It's awfully late, what are you doing in this part of town?" Henry said, "Well I have a big problem, and I feel that you are the only one who can help me." The old frog invited him in and they talked for a long while about Henry's problem.

The old frog gave Henry a bottle of springy lotion and told him to rub it on his legs twice a day and to stretch his legs out, and in one week to come see him again. Henry did exactly what he was told and when seven days had passed, he waited until it was dark, and made his way to the biggest tree in the center of town. This time the door opened after the first knock and Henry went inside. Before the old frog could say a word, Henry said excitedly, "I did exactly what you told me." The old frog said, "Then let's not waste any time. I want you to squat down, and on the count of three I want you to try and touch the sky." Henry didn't question the old frog and when he said "three" he tried to touch the sky and jumped a foot offthe ground!

Henry had never been so happy in his whole life; he quickly thanked the old frog and hopped all the way home. The next day when his friends walked by and asked him if he would like to hop along, Henry said, "I'd love too." The other frogs were shocked. Not only did he know how to jump, but he could jump higher and farther than all the other frogs. Henry was the happiest frog in the world.