"BWOOOOM!" boomed up from the deepest part of the pond. Mallowfin zipped behind a smooth stone and peeked through the reeds.
Again came the sound. "BWOOM!" Mallowfin swam past three waving reed curtains and under two lily pads, following a silver ripple deeper into the dark.
There was the noise-maker at last. A lonely old frog called into a hollow reed—then HONK! A bubble popped on the frog's nose.
"Are you the one making all that noise?" asked Mallowfin. The frog blinked, lowered the reed, and the pond went still.
"I only wanted someone to answer," said the old frog, tapping the reed on the lily pad. Mallowfin swam close and answered in a small, clear voice.
The booming stopped. Crickets chirped. Reeds whispered. Under the flat, calm moonlight, Mallowfin and the old frog floated quietly while the whole pond settled down to sleep.
