The Toad's Wedding
When I was very wee--probably no older than three or four--my parents took me camping on a lovely little lake.

At some point on our very last day there, I managed to catch a toad. It must have been a slow and indolent toad to be snatched by my chubby little fingers, but catch it I did, and I proudly put it into my little plastic sand bucket and promptly named it "Joe".

I happily burbled about that day, putting grass and twigs and a small dish of water into the bucket so that Joe would be happy and safe. I was beside myself with joy. A toad! In a bucket! What more can a toddler ask for?

When it came time for us to end our holiday, my parents informed me that it was time to let Joe go. This was met with crashing despair (at least, as crashing a despair as child still young enough to be amused by Fisher-Price toys can experience). Tears began to well up in my eyes as I contemplated leaving my new amphibious best friend behind.

Enter my father, with a stroke of pure genius. Turning to me (at this point on the verge of blubbering tears), he exclaimed, "But you have to let him go! If you don't, he'll be late to his son's wedding!"

This seemed quite reasonable to three-year-old me, and without further ado I released Joe into the lake, where he is no doubt still recovering from the hangover he earned celebrating his tadpole's nuptials.
(herbivorous, Mon 29 Nov 2010, 0:10, 4 replies)

"a slow and indolent toad"
this is a fantastic phrase and i can see myself using it about many a colleague/client!
( rachelswipe with a fork, Mon 29 Nov 2010, 0:16, closed)

Thanks! I'm rather proud of it.
(herbivorous, Mon 29 Nov 2010, 0:56, closed)

This is good.
I've not given many clicks in this QotW, but this merits one.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Mon 29 Nov 2010, 12:10, closed)

joe will be ded by now

(mersault, Mon 29 Nov 2010, 12:58, closed)