We all know about Amber's fear of frogs, but the one thing she likes about them is that they sing! She learned about frogs singing when James tried to show her one and Roland and Melinda tried to calm her down, and they taught her one of the frog's favorite tunes. Unknown to them, James knows another song frogs like, and he gets to sing it with Roland and Melinda as well. A small snippet of one of the songs was in theblindwriter95's and my story Royal Halloween Hijinks. Gordon Lightfoot's music is not mine, nor is the Muppet Movie.
Roland and Melinda ran into the gardens where they heard seven-year-old Amber screaming and running from something James held out to her.
"Get it away!" Amber hid behind them. "Mother! Daddy! James found a big frog and he's chasing me with it!"
"It's not that big," Roland assured her. "James showed it to us earlier, and it was a little thing."
"I put it down, Amber," James pointed at the frog, who was hopping toward the flowers.
"James, why don't you go inside, and we'll talk to you in a bit?" Roland suggested. "Right now, we need to help Amber."
"Okay, Dad," James nodded. "It really wasn't that big, Amber."
"It was big and yucky!" Amber cried when he was gone, "I hate frogs!"
"Amber, James probably showed him to you because he wanted you to hear the song he sang," Melinda reasoned.
"Frogs don't sing," Amber sniffled. "They scare me."
"Actually, frogs do sing," Melinda smiled. "Come on. Let's let him go back to his friends and family, and we'll sing his favorite song."
As they went in, Melinda sang, Why are there so many songs about rainbows and what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions, and rainbows have nothing to hide.
Amber smiled. Melinda always said music made everything better.
Seeing her smile, Melinda hugged her and continued, So we've been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.
At the same time, Roland kissed her and Melinda as he joined in, Who said that every wish would be heard and answered when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that and someone believed it.
Look what it's done so far.
As she listened to them, Amber joined in, What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing and what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.
The three of them sang together, All of us under its spell.
We know that it's probably magic.
Amber took part of the last verse, Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Roland smiled as he joined her, Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors.
The voice might be one and the same.
Melinda hugged her as she joined in, I've heard it too many times to ignore it.
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
The three of them finished the song together, Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers and me.
La-da-da, de-da-da-do
La-da-da-da-da-de-da-do
"See, Amber?" Melinda said as she gave her a hug, "Frogs really do sing nice songs."
"That was nice!" Amber smiled. "Thank you, Daddy! Thank you, Mother!"
"Yes it was," Melinda smiled, "Now, why don't you let us talk to James, and we'll be with you later?"
"Okay," Amber agreed as she went to her room to recover from the adventure.
When Roland and Melinda came to James' room, they found him playing with Rex. "I heard the song Mom and Dad sang with Amber, but do you think she'll like this one, Rex?" James asked as he put on a song and started singing.
Uncle Toad sittin' by the old south gate
Waitin' them boys they bin stayin' out late
Uncle Toad thinks they are way out of line
Maybe they think he's past his prime
Uncle Toad said better straighten up right
When Uncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight
He looked up when he heard Roland ask, "Why are you singing about toads? I thought Amber feared frogs!"
He mussed James' hair as he joined in, Uncle Toad lived in the wood out back
Lived in the shade of a utility shack
He looked in at the big brick house
At the girls as quiet as a mouse
Uncle Toad said you had best get it right
When Uncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight
"We'll handle this, Rex," Melinda smiled as she scratched his ears and joined in, Uncle Toad tucked in the compost pile
Out by the back door look at him smile
He said kids stop drinkin' that brew
Plan while ya can or the joke's on you
Uncle Toad said better straighten up right
When Uncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight
"Let Rex stay, Melinda; he can help us," Roland said as he pushed James onto the bed and continued the song.
Uncle Toad sittin' by the swimmin' pool
Sits in the sun when the weather turns cool
Sits in the sun when the girls walk by
Maybe they think he's a little bit sly
"Okay, and yes, Rex, I know you'll help us too," Melinda smiled as Rex licked her. "James, this is for scaring your sister, and we all challenge you to keep singing!"
Uncle Toad said you had best get it right
When Uncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight
As Roland started tickling James' sides, Melinda tickled his ribs as they sang together, Uncle Toad sittin' by the cool mill race
All day long with a grin on his face
He said boys you had better not try
Kissin' them girls 'cause I won't stand by
As Rex licked him, James laughed under them as he joined in, Uncle Toad said better straighten up right
When Uncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight
James tried to start the last verse, but he was soon laughing too hard to continue, Uncle Toad sittin' by the wrought iron fence
Looks at the moon like it don't make sense
Roland mussed his hair as he joined in, We say Toad here's lookin' at you
Hopin' you'll get your wish too
Melinda also mussed his hair she and Roland finished the song, Sway to the left, sway to the right
When Uncle Toad spoke it was not a pretty sight
"Well, James? Will you apologize to Amber?" Roland asked.
"Yes! But it really wasn't that big!" James laughed under them.
Unknown to the group, Amber was smiling as she stood near the door and heard James plan to apologize.