Some (Don't) Like it Hot
A tale of two frogs
Hello dear subscribers! This week, I recommend listening rather than reading, but for those of you who prefer to imagine the voices, or want to follow along, the words are here.
And if there’s a video animator who’d like to turn this into a short, let me know in the comments.
Enjoy! xox M
Some (Don’t) Like it Hot
The sound of water. Two frogs swim in a small space.
Frog #1: Excuse me,—
Frog #2: No excusing needed! What’s on your mind?
Frog #1: Um… Does it seem a trifle warm in here?
Frog #2: Warm?
Frog #1: Yes.
Frog #2: Warm.
Frog #1: Yes.
—Pause—
Frog #2: No! No, not at all. Feels just right to me. Cozy.
Frog #1: Okay.
Frog #2: Just like it’s always been.
Frog #1: Okay.
Frog #2: No difference.
Frog #1: Okay.
Frog #2: None at all.
Frog #1: Okay! Okay!
Frog #2: What are you all hot and bothered about?
Frog #1: I’m not. It’s— nothing. Never mind.
Frog #2: Please, speak up!
Frog #1: Well…
Frog #2: Speak!
Frog #1: Okay. You probably don’t want to hear this, but… I’ve noticed it’s getting warmer in here. Little by little, minute by minute, the temperature is increasing. I know it is, I can feel it.
—Pause—
Did you hear me?
Frog #2: I can hear you.
Frog #1: No, did you hear me.
Frog #2: You’re speaking your mind, that’s good! We all need to do that.
Frog #1: Yes, yes we do.
Frog #2: Yes.
Frog #1: So what did you hear me say?
Frog #2: Why are you grilling me?
Frog #1: I’m not—
Frog #2: Why are you so hostile? So angry?
Frog #1: I’m not!
Frog #2: We’re both frogs, you know.
Frog #1: I know!
Frog #2: We’re all in this together. And since we’re stuck here, we should make the best of it. This place isn’t perfect, okay, what place is? I’m not perfect, either. Are you?
Frog #1: No, but that’s not—
Frog #2: We’re all doing our best. Making the best of it. Okay? Okay?
—Pause—
Frog #1: Okay.
—Pause—
It’s getting hot in here.
Frog #2: Stop talking about that!
Frog #1: It’s true!
Frog #2: Do you get some kind of kick out of scaring me?
Frog #1: No!
Frog #2: You must be in it for the money.
Frog #1: What are you talking about?
Frog#2: It’s fame, isn’t it. You want to make a name for yourself.
Frog #1: I’m telling you, it’s heating up!
Frog #2: And I’m telling you to shut your damn mouth. What do you think you are, some kind of temperature expert?
Frog #1: What happened to “speaking our minds”?
Frog #2: Yeah, well, what’s on your mind makes me feel bad! And I don’t want to feel bad! Life’s too short to feel bad!
Frog #1: I’m not trying to make you feel bad.
Frog #2: Thank you.
Frog #1: Just go with me here, for just a second. What if… what if… the temperature really is rising, but it’s happening so slowly that you keep adjusting with it? Like, it’s so gradual, you don’t even notice it? What about that, isn’t that possible?
—Pause—
Frog #2: Hahahahahaha! Oh! Oh! You funny, funny frog, you. I love a frog with a sense of humor.
Frog #1: I’m not joking.
Frog #2: You’re not?
Frog #1: Dead serious. What if.
Frog #2: It’s ridiculous. Why would the temperature keep going up?
Frog #1: Maybe something’s wrong. Maybe someone’s trying to kill us! I don’t know, isn’t that possible?
Frog #2: Oh my god, you’re insane. A total nut job. Have you considered medication?
Frog #1: I DO NOT NEED MEDICATION.
Frog #2: You should be locked up.
Frog #1: We’re already locked up, you idiot!
Frog #2: I’m swimming around just fine in here! Who’s the idiot? Who’s the— (breathing heavily) who’s the—
Frog #1: You’re feeling it, aren’t you. The heat.
Frog #2: No! It must be… something else… a pre-existing condition, or something…
Frog #1: It’s the heat. WE’RE BEING BOILED ALIVE.
Frog #2: You are dangerous. Stay away from me. Go! Go over there. Keep your distance!
Frog #1: Listen to me—
Frog #2: No! You’re the problem!
Frog #1: If you and I work together, we can find a way out, before it’s too late. For both of us.
Frog #2: I don’t know what you’re trying to do. I was fine before you came along. I was happy! I was cozy!
Frog #1: Work with me!
Frog #2: Stay away.
Frog #1: We’re in this together, remember?
Frog #2: Just leave me alone.
Frog #1: Please!
Frog #2: Leave me alone. We can be together apart.
—Pause—
Frog #1: Okay. Forgive me. I tried.
Frog #1 moves away, pauses for a moment, then swims fast toward Frog #2 and climbs on top of its head.
Frog #2: Get off me! Help! Help!
Frog #1 pushes off Frog’ #2’s head and springs up high, out of the water and out of view.
Frog #2: Ugh! Good riddance! Now I can… I can finally, be safe.
Sounds of a kitchen.
The End.
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Your comments mean so much to me! Do let me know what you’re thinking.
Oh...how I love this tale! I see an interesting commentary on the state of living together in a politics-driven world... Or is it a commentary on global warming? Wait, maybe it's something else entirely - could it be two inmates speaking about their existence in prison? Or is it merely a tale of two frogs...family members who are growing tired of each other and want a new reality? I could easily think about this story for the next hour...I think I will!
Mary I love this
I had my 10 year old listen to it and as we ponder how it relates to many things....a young mind has been exposed to critical thinking 💕