Finley darted up from the pond floor. It bumped right into the frog on the lily pad. The frog beamed and bounced. Ripples spread across the water. "Come explore with me!" Finley's tail flicked with delight.
They swam side by side. The frog bounced between lily pads while Finley glided alongside. They wove through floating green islands until the reeds grew thick.
The reed passage narrowed. The frog hopped ahead. Finley squeezed through last. A shadow swept across the water. The frog froze, ears flat. It was only a dragonfly. Finley nudged the frog's shoulder.
At the bottom of the pond, a sunken acorn cup glittered. Finley peeked inside and gasped. Tiny shells filled the cup — and one single lily seed. The frog's eyes widened. "That's my seed," it whispered.
Finley pushed the cup toward the frog. The frog's grin returned, brighter than before. The frog clutched the seed and told Finley about its family. Finley's tail went still. The last light turned the pond gold.
When the frog offered Finley a shell from the cup, Finley took it. The little fish tucked the shell into a fold of its fin and swallowed quietly.
Finley and the frog swam back together. Their shoulders almost touched. The pond was quiet now. The first star reflected on the water's surface.
Finley flicked its tail once. Happy. The frog bounced onto its familiar lily pad. They stayed there side by side as the pond settled into night.