Froggy Went A-Courtin’

Once upon a time, Mister Frog lived in a pond, and he was feeling rather lonely. “I think I shall go courting,” he said. “I shall ask Miss Mousie to marry me.” So he put on his best green coat and his shiny buttons. Then he climbed onto his little horse and rode off down the lane, singing as he went.

Miss Mousie lived in a cozy little house, and she was sitting at her spinning wheel. Mister Frog knocked on the door, took off his hat, and bowed very low. “Miss Mousie, will you marry me?” he asked. Miss Mousie blushed and twitched her whiskers. “Oh, I cannot say yes until I ask my Uncle Rat,” she said.

So they waited until Uncle Rat came home from town. When he heard the news, Uncle Rat laughed and patted his round tummy. “A frog for my niece? What fun!” he said. “Of course you may marry!” Mister Frog was so happy that he hopped right up to the ceiling.

“Where shall we have the wedding?” asked Miss Mousie. “Down in the hollow tree,” said Mister Frog. “There is plenty of room there for everyone.” So they invited all their friends to a wedding party in the hollow tree.

The first guest to come was a little moth, who spread out the tablecloth. Next came a busy bumblebee, who played a merry tune on his fiddle. Then came a beetle, who brought a basket of berries and seeds. A ladybug brought flowers, and a cricket came to sing. They all ate and danced and laughed until the moon came up.

But just then, there was a loud “Meow!” at the door. In came the old gray cat, looking for some fun. “Oh my!” cried the guests, and they jumped up in a fright. The moth flew up to the ceiling, the bee buzzed out of the window, and the beetle hid under a leaf. Uncle Rat scurried up the wall, and Miss Mousie ran into a little hole. Mister Frog took one big jump, out of the door and splash, into the pond!

The old gray cat looked around the empty room, gave a big yawn, and went home to bed. Then, one by one, all the little guests came creeping back. Mister Frog and Miss Mousie laughed and finished their wedding cake. And they lived happily together, in a little house beside the pond.