The

Precious

  Hopper

By Brenda Miller

There once was a frog…a frog named Lucas.  All his friends called him Lu and all the bullies at school called him Lu-ser!  He didn’t like that and it didn’t give him much self esteem.

One day Lu was hopping home and the bullies came by and started teasing Lu.  They ended up pushing him in some mud.  YUCK!

Lu was such a young frog, how could he get all messed up with the bullies?  He didn’t even do anything!

Lu’s feelings were really hurt so he decided he would talk to his friend from school, Robin!

Robin was getting hungry and when Lu showed up he got a delicious idea…  Lu told him everything and then realized he might want to run for his life.

Lu decided to run for his life, and he DID!-faster than he had ever hopped before…he didn’t want to die.

So he hopped home and on his way he accidentally bumped into Freddy.  Freddy didn’t look busy so Lu thought he would tell him what happened.  After 10 minutes he stopped in mid sentence and hopped for his life AGAIN, because Freddy started licking his chops and moving closer and closer…

So after nearly dieing Lu barely escaped with his life.  He was amazed that he even escaped alive, as was Freddy who said, “He was fast”.

Lu managed to jump into a pile of leaves and hide himself until Freddy found a mouse to chase.  Lu then hopped on his way home.

He then realized that this could be the day he could die, because of what had already happened to him so he decided to go bungee jumping…something he had always wanted to do.

After Lu had the thrill of his life bungee jumping nearly two feet by himself, he decided he wanted to go to YoJo’s place and get some worm/mushroom soup.  On his way there he bumped into Lester and the two of them went to YoJo’s to talk and eat, but a short time later Lester left, because he found out what Lu was going to eat.

The worm/mushroom soup was so delicious that Lu wanted a second bowl, but quickly decided against that idea for two reasons.  First, he was out of leaves and so couldn’t buy anymore soup.  And secondly, Jo the bat was looking hungry.

He quickly left and headed down the trail to his home.  On his way he bumped into Caleb and John.  They were talking about logs and how each different one affected their moods.  So Lu joined them.

After about ½ hour Caleb and John started looking hungry too, so before they stuck their tongues out Lu was gone!  Boogied away he did!  He didn’t want them getting any ideas too!

Lu decided to go to the Floral Park Fair before going home, and guess who, of all people he saw?  Frankie, his old friend from when they were tadpoles!  They got some cotton candy and talked for hours!

After visiting with Frankie and such a long day, Lu headed home.

As he was hopping along he realized that just because a few animals tried to eat him doesn’t mean today is his death day.  He should trust in Yahweh and give all his worries to him.

So he stopped right where he was, thanked Yahweh for his life, and a safe day, and asked Yahweh for forgiveness for not trusting in Him at first; but now he will.  Then he went on home.