The pond shimmered in the sun. Green reeds stood tall. Round lily pads bobbed on the water. The little duck paddled through it all.
The little duck paused, neck tilted to one side. A tiny frog sat on a floating leaf. It jumped and jumped, but kept falling back with soft plops. The duck watched quietly.
The little duck swam closer. 'Hop on,' she quacked. 'I can give you a ride.' The frog hopped onto her back. His little feet slid toward the edge.
The little duck slowed her strokes. The frog wrapped his front legs around a feather. He held on tight as they glided along.
The water grew wide. Big gaps separated the lily pads. The frog's feet went still. He could not jump across.
The little duck stretched her neck across a gap. Tap, tap went her beak. The frog peeked, then hopped onto her back again.
A breeze shook the reeds. Plop! A large raindrop landed on the little duck's head. She yelped and ducked low.
The little duck shouldered through the ripples. Her feathers grew heavy with each drop. Through the gray sky, a cluster of reeds appeared.
With a final push, the little duck burst forward. Splash! She landed on solid ground beside the reeds. The frog uncurled.
The little duck shook water from her wings. The frog let out a bright croak. Lily pads trembled. From then on, they paddled through the sunny pond together.
