SIDE 1

 

FROG

Hello, Toad.

TOAD

Hello, Frog.

FROG

How has your winter been?

TOAD

Well, I'm hibernating, so there isn't much to report. This is a very nice dream though.

 

FROG

Yes, it is. Well, I'm getting ready to wake up, so you better get back to your own dream.

 

TOAD

Yes, I'd better get back to hibernating. Spring is nearly here.

 

FROG

Oh, I think it's just around the corner.

SIDE 2

(Toad's alarm clock rings.)

FROG

Toad, your alarm clock is ringing. Wake up. It's spring.

(TOAD bashes the alarm clock. It breaks. The bell stops ringing.)

 

TOAD

Frog, what time is it? My clock is broken.

 

FROG

It's ten o'clock.

 

 

TOAD

Ten o'clock is my sad time of day.

 

FROG

Why?

 

TOAD

Because ten o'clock is when the mail should come.

 

FROG

And?

 

TOAD

I have never ever gotten a letter.

 

FROG

Never?

 

TOAD

Never ever.

 

FROG

Will you please excuse me, Toad? There is something I must do.

 

TOAD

Sure, go ahead Frog.

(FROG crosses to his own house. He sits at a table to write. A group of SNAILS enter.)

 

SNAILS

Hello, Frog.

 

FROG

Well, if it isn't my friends, the snails.

 

SNAILS

What are you doing?

SIDE 3

(The SNAILS slowly make their way across the stage. The scene changes to a riverbank. FROG and TOAD enter. FROG wears a bathing suit; TOAD wears a robe.)

 

FROG

It certainly is a lovely day for a swim!

 

TOAD

I want you to turn away until I get into the water.

 

FROG

Why?

 

TOAD

Well, because -- I look funny in a bathing suit.

 

FROG

You do?

 

TOAD

Trust me.

 

FROG

Very well.

 

TOAD

No peeking.

 

FROG

I won't peek.

(TOAD takes off his robe and slips into the water.)

 

TOAD

It's safe to look now. I'm in the water.

(TURTLE enters with a lunchbox and settles on the riverbank.)

Oh no.

 

FROG

What's the matter?

 

TOAD

Turtle. When I come out of the water, she will see me in my bathing suit. Would you ask her to leave?

 

FROG

Very well, Toad.

(FROG goes over to TURTLE.)

Turtle, I'm afraid you will have to go away.

 

TOAD

Why should I?

 

FROG

Well...

SIDE 4

(TOAD is catapulted into a snowbank. He is momentarily out of view. Then he pops his head up through the snow. FROG runs to him.)

 

FROG

Toad, that was magnificent!

 

TOAD

I'm alive.

(He checks to make sure.)

I'm alive!

 

FROG

Of course you are.

 

TOAD

I'm so happy.

 

FROG

Wonderful.

 

TOAD

And angry!

 

FROG

Why

 

TOAD

Frog, you left me all alone.

 

FROG

I couldn't help it, Toad.

 

TOAD

You suggested we go sledding! You put us at risk! I will never speak to you again!

(TOAD storms off.)

 

FROG

But Toad—

SIDE 5

TOAD

Frog is late. Maybe something has happened to him. Something bad. Something terrible. Maybe he is lost in the dark, or stuck at the bottom of a hole, or being chased by a wolf! Frog! Frog! Don't worry, I'll save you!

(TOAD is ready to dash to the rescue. FROG enters with a wrapped gift.)

 

FROG

Hello, Toad.

 

TOAD

Frog! You're safe!
(now miffed)
Where have you been?

 

FROG

I'm sorry to be late, Toad. I was wrapping your gift.

 

TOAD

For me?

 

FROG

Yes.

 

TOAD

Can I open it?

 

FROG

Of course.

(TOAD tears into the gift.)

 

TOAD

It's a clock! I needed a clock.

 

FROG

I know you did, Toad.

 

TOAD

I'll put it on the mantle.

 

FROG

This is a very peaceful Christmas Eve.

 

TOAD

It didn't start out that way.

 

 

FROG

I'm sorry I was late.

 

TOAD

I was very worried you know.