The Phrog: The Warm, Unspoken Secrets Of The Phantom Of The Opera
On my organ, there is a frog. Yes, a frog. I didn't know how it got there, I don't know who placed it there, but I just keep it there. It comforts me, in a way. It's pristinely emerald, painted by what seems to be a mixture and explosion of different tones of green, and glossy, because of the lacquered finish around the body. It's smooth, unbelievably smooth, and cold to the touch, but then again, beneath these cellars, by the lake, what isn't? But I digress. Anyway, the eyes on this little frog pop out exceedingly, and stand out, painted with layers and layers of a charcoal shade, like dewdrops in the night, if dewdrops appear in the night. His little toes are painted in the same manner, equally dark and concentrated, and his wide, round mouth is poised open, as if to catch an imaginary fly. However, there is a lack of tongue in the mouth, which, in only this situation, is good, since I use it to hold little keepsakes and trinkets I've had and pick up along the way. Though lightweight and fairly small, he's pretty sturdy, as I can cite times wherein I found myself absentmindedly toying around with it, and consequently, absentmindedly dropping it.
At first, it seemed like a child's toy to me, small, simple, cute. Two reasons however, made me think twice. First, why would an infant's toy be so small when they can easily swallow and choke on things, poor little rascals; Second, I placed the craftsmanship of this item under my deep scrutiny and found it too faultless to be a mere plaything. I noticed the fine, unbroken strokes around its body, obviously patiently worked out by a master painter, Chinese paintbrush in hand. I took heed the details of some strokes waving around the base, but they could also be the painter's fingerprints as he or she tries to paint the bottom. Either way, it adds to the effect of this little frog being one from a swamp. I also took into consideration its thick patina. There seems to be more than three coatings of this around the frog; this lends a hand in the frog's sheen and durability. This type of varnish is quite potent, quite strong, and according to the people I've contacted, very expensive. What luck of an artist to have the talent and means! It must have taken quite a lot of blood and sweat to create something so enigmatically beautiful out of something so plain and simple. I cannot help but marvel and wonder the apparent tenderness and care with which this seemingly mediocre object was fashioned. I wonder, who could have made it? A child? An adult? And for what reasons? It makes me wonder. How did this delightful, quirky little objet d'art get all the way down to me, when obviously it was made by someone with great, great care for someone dear? Well, none of that is my problem now. All I know is that I will always, for reasons unfathomable, value the little frog atop my organ as a gift I might have not received, and do not deserve.
fin
A/N: Like it, hate it? Either way, review! We shall be damned if this will not reap any. puppy face
