Tommy the Toad's Great Discovery

Tommy the Toad lived by a sparkling pond. He loved to watch the dragonflies dance and the water lilies unfurl their petals. But sometimes, a little sigh escaped his bumpy chest.

Spring was here, and that meant one exciting thing: the annual Frog-Jumping Festival! All the frogs and toads practiced their leaps, dreaming of the shiny golden-leaf trophy.

Tommy tried his very best. He took a deep breath, wiggled his toes, and *boing!* His hop was… well, it was more of a little bounce. He landed with a soft plop.

"Oh dear," he mumbled to himself, his golden eyes drooping. Flash, a big, sleek frog, soared past him, landing with a splash far away. "I'll never jump like that."

The day of the festival arrived, bright and sunny. Bunting made of colorful leaves hung between the cattails. Barnaby the Beetle, wearing his tiny top hat, called everyone to the jumping lane.

One by one, the contestants took their turns. Flash the Frog leaped with incredible power, clearing many lily pads. The crowd cheered loudly for his amazing jump.

Tommy’s heart thumped like a drum against his bumpy chest. He took a deep, shaky breath. "Next up, Tommy the Toad!" announced Barnaby, his voice echoing from the megaphone.

He closed his eyes, wished with all his might, and pushed off. *Boing!* He opened his eyes. He hadn't gone very far at all, landing with a soft plop.

A hush fell over the crowd. Tommy felt his cheeks flush green with embarrassment. He quickly hopped back to the edge, trying to disappear behind a large water lily.

Flash the Frog won the golden-leaf trophy, beaming proudly. Tommy watched from his hiding spot, a knot of sadness tightening in his tummy. He was the worst jumper.

"Now for our next exciting event!" Barnaby chirped, oblivious to Tommy's gloom. "The Annual Spring Fly-Catching Contest! Who will be our champion?"

Tommy sighed. He wasn't good at anything. Just then, a fat, juicy fly, plump and slow, buzzed right past his nose. *Bzzzzzzzz!*

Before he even thought, his long, sticky tongue shot out! *SNAP!* The fly was gone. Tommy blinked. That was… surprisingly easy.