“Greg, you’re going to be late again.” Greg’s wife softly whispered into his ear. It was seven in the morning, and Greg had a long day ahead of him. He pulled his long, green, webbed feet out of the mud bed, and started to take his daily algae shower. He found that slightly aged algae was the best moisturizer for his dry skin. He quickly caught a fly mid air with his tongue for breakfast, and kissed his wife goodbye. Little did she know, this was the last time she would see Greg. Greg’s long limbs, brown speckled body, and plump figure made him a typical toad. Although, being the headmaster of Toad Academy set Greg apart from all the other stereotypical toads. He loved his job to death, because he got the chance to watch young pollywogs grow up into successful toads on a daily basis. Greg started to hop along the riverbank, which was his favorite route to the academy. As he hopped along the muddy trail, he couldn’t stop thinking about the events planned for the day. He was in charge of taking a select few pollywogs on a field trip later in the evening, and he a bit nervous about it. The field trip would test not only Greg’s courage, but the pollywog’s as well. Greg arrived at the academy and saw Secretary Frog lining the students up in preparation for the trip. They were all so small and undeveloped, he loved every single one of them. Especially the oldest pollywog who was new to the academy this year, Jimmy.
Jimmy had woken up that morning with a pep in his step. His Mother Frog made him his favorite earthworm cereal for breakfast, and his Father Frog had promised to take him sardine hunting tomorrow. Everything was going so well already, he simply couldn’t wait for the rest of the day. Jimmy was just like any other teenage pollywog, small, with undeveloped legs and body parts. He loved to practice swimming and jumping all the time, and would regularly play with his friends out in the deep part of the pond before school. Not today though, because today he had to be at school early for a field trip. His parents hadn’t of even asked him if he wanted to go on the trip, apparently it was a big deal and honor to even get to go. Jimmy didn’t argue it. Father Frog told Jimmy to get on the lily pad, and off they went. Jimmy’s family had recently invested in a lily pad to make transportation down the pond easier. In no time, Jimmy arrived at school, where most of the other pollywogs had gathered along the side of the pond. Just as he got off the lily pad, Headmaster Toad appeared.
“Hop to it, let’s go!” Said Headmaster Toad. The small pollywogs lined up among the river bank. Jimmy’s tiny developing heart pounded against his slimy skin.
“Have you ever done this before?” Jimmy asked the pollywog next to him.
“No, but apparently we’re the last group to go while Headmaster Toad is still in service at the school. This is his last trip I guess.” Exclaimed the pollywog. Headmaster Toad started to lead the line of pollywogs along the muddy river bank. His warts, bumps, and wrinkles glistened from his excess slime and mucus. About four hours passed, in which the pollywogs just marched after Headmaster Toad. Finally, Headmaster Toad stopped in his tracks, and slowly turned around. Jimmy could only see the reflection of the moon off Headmaster Toad’s marble like eyeballs.
“You have all come so far, and I wish you all the best of luck.” Headmaster Toad stated. Jimmy was confused and frightened, his parents had sent him on this trip without reason or explanation. He figured he’d just follow what everyone else was doing, and eventually find his way. Jimmy didn’t understand the purpose of going so far down the riverbank though, he was always warned against it. Suddenly, the long stream of pollywogs started to uniformly climb up the side of the riverbank, and out of the water following Headmaster Toad. Jimmy followed, feeling almost naked without the calming waves of the riverbank surrounding his body. Slipping and sliding against the steep edge, Jimmy managed to shimmy his way to the top joining the rest of the group. There, all the pollywogs had gathered around Headmaster Toad.
“See you on the other side, my children.” Headmaster Toad softly said while backing away from the group. Jimmy and most of the pollywogs were still slightly confused as to what was happening. Headmaster Toad slowly crawled to what looked like a harder, denser form of Earth. The moon slightly dimmed, and the black of night swallowed the area. Headmaster Toad was just hopping at a normal pace moving farther away from the group, when a pair of bright lights appeared in the distance. The Earth started to rumble and shake violently, leaves and sticks flew around the pollywogs. It was almost a tornado of dirt, so Jimmy grabbed the nearest pollywog and held on for dear life. The ground jolted, rattled, and shuddered around him. However, his eyes couldn’t seem to stray from the faint, shadowy figure of Headmaster Toad braving the bouncing Earth. Headmaster Toad put one web after another as the violent ground’s shaking became intenser. The lights growing nearer, and brighter, Jimmy started to realize the danger that Headmaster Toad had put himself in.
“Headmaster Toad, watch out! The lights, they’re getting closer!” Jimmy screamed towards Headmaster Toad. Headmaster Toad recklessly kept going though, despite Jimmy’s cries.
The pollywogs around him were huddled together, crying and weeping from fear. The ground still pounding forcibly, Jimmy decided to be the bigger, braver pollywog and rescue Headmaster Toad.
“Screw all of you!” Jimmy screamed through the increasing wind and dirt flying about. Keeping low to the ground, Jimmy shimmied towards Headmaster Toad, just enough distance to grab his ankle.
“Don’t worry I’ve got you Headmaster!” Jimmy cried.
“You imbecile, I’m doing this on purpo-” Headmaster Toad moaned before being struck by the lights. Skin flew through the air, intestines splatted against Jimmy’s face, and blood oozed against the hardened Earth. All that was left, was Headmaster Toad’s disheveled head, resting against Jimmy’s hand. The eyes bulged out of the decapitated head, with the moon’s reflection still on them. The sound of a toad choir filled the ears of the pollywogs, as angel toads came floating from the heavens above. They picked up what was left of Headmaster Toad, and in perfect harmony flew away into the sky.