As the afternoon sun danced across the garden, Froggy and his wife, Froggina, arrived at the home of Councilman Timothy.
At the gate, they were greeted by Timothy’s bodyguards. “Welcome, Mr. Froggy and Mrs. Froggina,” one of them said with a smile.
“Wow,” whispered Froggy. “The Councilman must be important. Nobody guards my lily pad.”
“That’s because nobody wants your lily pad,” said Froggina.
“That’s not true,” Froggy protested. “A turtle sat on it once.” The bodyguards escorted them through the backyard where they found Councilman Timothy sitting beneath a tree, sketching carefully on a large canvas.
Froggy hopped closer. “Who is that old fellow in your drawing?” Timothy smiled.
“Oh, Froggy, you don’t know him. That’s my father.” Froggy studied the picture. “You two look alike. But he’s old.”
“Well,” Timothy replied, laughing, “he was ninety-four years old.” “Ninety-four!” Froggy nearly fell backward. “How many frog years is that?”
“I have no idea.” “Probably six hundred and twelve.” Froggina rolled her eyes. “He must have lived a good life,” Froggy said. “He did,” Timothy replied. “He was a shepherd.”
“A shepherd?” asked Froggy. “Yes.” “He herded sheep?” “Not exactly. He was a shepherd to people.” Froggy’s eyes widened.
“You humans are strange. You herd each other?” “You can research that later,” Timothy laughed. “Today is Father’s Day, and I’m honoring him.”
“Oh,” said Froggy softly. “So you still honor him even though he’s gone?” “Every day,” Timothy answered.
For a moment, everyone became quiet. Then Froggina raised her hand. “I have a question.”
“What is it?” asked Timothy. “Do all humans have children?” Timothy shook his head.
“No. Not everyone has children.”
Froggina glanced at Froggy. “Because Froggy and I don’t have any tadpoles.” “Not yet,” Froggy added hopefully. Timothy nodded.
“Some people have children. Some don’t. But many still care for others, teach others, guide others, and help others grow.”
Froggina tilted her head. “So can someone be a father without being a father?”
“That’s an excellent question,” Timothy replied.
“Thank you,” said Froggina proudly. “I’ve been practicing.” Timothy continued.
“Father’s Day celebrates men who nurture, guide, protect, encourage, and care for others. It’s not only about having children. It’s about the impact you have on lives.”
Froggy scratched his chin.
“So if I help younger frogs learn to swim… “That counts.” “If I rescue lost tadpoles?”
“That counts.” “If I teach frogs how to avoid hungry storks?” “Definitely counts.”
Froggy puffed out his chest. “I knew I was important.”
“You remind us daily,” said Froggina. Froggy grinned.
“Do you celebrate Father’s Day in the Animal Kingdom?” Timothy asked. Froggy shook his head.
“No. We don’t really celebrate special days.”
“You don’t?” “Nope. Every day is a celebration.”
Timothy laughed. “That sounds expensive.”
“No,” said Froggy. “You humans spend money to celebrate. We simply celebrate being alive.”
Timothy paused. “You know, that’s actually very wise.” “I know,” said Froggy proudly. “I accidentally say wise things all the time.”
A breeze swept through the garden. Froggy looked thoughtfully at Timothy. “Mr. Councilman, why don’t you have children?”
“I’m still planning.” Froggy blinked. “Planning? But you’re old.” Timothy laughed loudly.
“Just because I’m older doesn’t mean I stop dreaming.” Froggy stared. “You mean dreams don’t expire?” “Exactly.” Froggina leaned forward.
“Because lately we’ve been thinking we’re too old to dream new dreams.” Timothy set down his pencil.
“Listen carefully. Dreams do not have expiration dates.”
Froggy and Froggina listened.
“You can dream at twenty. You can dream at sixty. You can dream at eighty. As long as you’re alive, you can imagine, create, learn, grow, and pursue something meaningful.”
Froggy’s eyes sparkled. “So I can still dream?”“Of course.” “I can still build my floating lily-pad café?”
“Yes.” “I can still write my book called One Thousand Ways to Catch a Fly?”
“If that’s your dream.” “I can still learn ballet?” Timothy paused.
“That one I’d pay money to see.” Everyone laughed.
Timothy pointed toward the portrait of his father. “My father taught me that life is a gift. He taught me that dreams keep us moving forward.”
“So today you’re honoring him?” Froggina asked.
“Yes,” Timothy replied. “And I’m honoring every man who has helped guide, protect, teach, and care for others.”
Froggy suddenly sat upright. “Wait a minute.” “What?” “That means I’m a father figure too!”
Timothy smiled. “Yes, Froggy. In many ways, you are.” Froggy’s eyes grew wide.
“Did you hear that, Froggina?” “I heard it.” “I’m officially father-ish.” “No,” she said. “Father-like?” “No.”
“Father-adjacent?” “Closer.” Everyone burst into laughter.
Just then Froggina stood. “We should probably leave soon.”
“Before Froggy invents another title,” Timothy agreed. The Councilman brought them refreshments.
“Happy Father’s Day to you both,” he said warmly. “Thank you for always being kind friends.”
“And thank you,” said Froggina, “for teaching us something new every time we visit.”
“It is always my pleasure,” Timothy replied.
As they prepared to leave, Timothy called out,
“Don’t forget! We’re painting together next week.”
Froggy smiled. “Wonderful! Maybe I’ll paint my future.” “What’s in your future?” asked Timothy. Froggy thought for a moment.
“More dreams. More learning. More laughter. And maybe… a floating café.”
The three friends laughed as the sun began to set.
And as they walked home, Froggy whispered to Froggina,
“You know, today I learned something important.”
“What was that?”
“Being old doesn’t stop dreams.” “No.”
“And being a father isn’t only about having children.”
“That’s right.”
“And every day can be worth celebrating.”
“Exactly.”
Froggy smiled.
“Good. Because tomorrow I’m celebrating breakfast.”
Lesson from the Story
A person’s value is not measured only by what they have, but by who they help, encourage, and inspire.
Dreams have no expiration date.
Honor those who have guided your life.
And never stop growing, learning, or believing that tomorrow can be brighter than today.
(End of chapter from Once Upon a Farmland)
