Of Frogs and Toads

David’s leaving set the stage for heartache.  Expecting agony, Isabella found peace, instead.

She flicked a pebble into the water, entranced by the ring rippling on the surface.

“I’ll find my prince.”

RRRiiibbbiiit.

Oops, this one's a toad.  Maybe next time...
Oops, this one’s another toad. Maybe next time…

~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-

TrifectaPicture11-1This is my response to Trifecta’s weekend challenge: This weekend we are giving you three words and asking for you to give us back another thirty of your own, making a grand total of thirty-three words. Your words to work with are: ring, water and stage

If you want to read other responses, or submit one yourself (come on, I know you want to!) click the tricycle picture to view Trifecta’s site.

It’s finally Friday – I hope you have a terrific weekend!

96 thoughts on “Of Frogs and Toads

  1. Kir July 19, 2013 / 7:56 AM

    INSPIRED! ROMANTIC! and most of all, fun and freeing.
    Loved all 33 of your words. 🙂

    TGIF

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:01 PM

      Thanks so much, Kir! I really wanted this to have a hopeful feel to it.

  2. Ivy (Mommy Dourest) July 19, 2013 / 8:00 AM

    “RRRiiibbbiiit.” Haha! Love the ending; didn’t see it going that way. Nice job!

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:02 PM

      Thanks, Ivy! I had fun with this one 🙂

  3. Joe Owens July 19, 2013 / 8:25 AM

    Romance is a many splendored thing . . .if you can find it or learn how to create it.

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:05 PM

      Finding it is easier than keeping it, but either way, romance is a special thing 🙂 Thanks for reading, Joe!

  4. Tina July 19, 2013 / 8:32 AM

    Frogs and toads are lovely creatures. As long as you’re not a bug. Or a fish. Or a smallish mammal. I love your character’s sense of hope; she’s not devastated by a silly breakup. Onto the next frog!

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:06 PM

      Haha, I’m sure bugs do find frogs to be less than hospitable 🙂 I’m glad you like her hope, Tina – I wanted her to not to drown in her sorrow.

  5. SuziCate July 19, 2013 / 8:52 AM

    They say you have to kiss a lot of toads before you find your prince!

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:07 PM

      So they say, SuziCate. Finding love can be a slimy task!

  6. Bryan Ens July 19, 2013 / 9:08 AM

    Great story!

  7. Sean July 19, 2013 / 10:49 AM

    gotta watch out for them toads. Took a trip to the Nashville zoo a few weeks ago and they had a pretty good amphibian exhibit. All Isabella has to do is search out a zoo lol Of course after licking so many frogs, she may forget where she is. It’s been a long week.

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:12 PM

      Finding the right frog is like plucking the proverbial needle from the haystack. Hope she stocked up on lip gloss 🙂 Your silliness here made me smile, Sean!

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:12 PM

      I guess she has nothing to lose, Jennifer!

  8. diannegray July 19, 2013 / 2:13 PM

    Just beautiful. Well done, Janna 😀

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:13 PM

      Thanks, Dianne! I appreciate you reading.

  9. Diane Turner July 19, 2013 / 2:30 PM

    Absolutely lovely, toads and all. Thanks for sharing.

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:13 PM

      Thanks, Diane! I happen to think toads are cute, but I wouldn’t be excited to kiss one 🙂

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:14 PM

      Punny comment, Phil 😛 Thanks for reading!

  10. Ashley K. July 19, 2013 / 3:40 PM

    There is still hope. Love it!

  11. GodGirl July 19, 2013 / 4:05 PM

    Haha. I love the sweet, optimistic final line!

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:19 PM

      I’m glad you liked it, GodGirl! I wanted her to be at peace with her destiny rather than dwell on what could’ve been.

  12. howanxious July 19, 2013 / 6:38 PM

    Loved the ending… the frog-prince has come to be with the princess.. 🙂

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:20 PM

      Perhaps it has all worked out as it should, Howanxious 🙂

  13. Lance July 19, 2013 / 6:41 PM

    clever and well written, loved it, especially the last part

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:21 PM

      Thanks, Lance! I am well-versed in reality, but I really couldn’t help going for the fairy tale ending here 🙂

  14. Valeriev July 19, 2013 / 7:09 PM

    I loved this! Some of the best princes do start out as frogs;)

    This was such a delight to read!!

  15. pattisj July 19, 2013 / 8:34 PM

    I don’t know what I could possibly have come up with using those words, but you did a great job, Janna. Nice toad, too.

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:23 PM

      I’m sure you could’ve come up with something – perhaps birds hanging out at the best birdbath in town? 🙂 Thanks for reading, Patti!

  16. Yve Chairez (@YveChairez) July 19, 2013 / 8:58 PM

    Hmm… She’d better be careful, though. One of the stories in my book is about frogs converting into humans when they’re kissed and the outcome is not as happily ever after as one might imagine… 🙂

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:25 PM

      Ooh, sounds scary, Yve! We can’t be too careful if we choose to kiss an amphibian 🙂

  17. Draug419 July 19, 2013 / 9:00 PM

    Frogs are win. Great work.

  18. barbara July 19, 2013 / 9:23 PM

    yummo! Frogs’ legs!!!

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:26 PM

      Ew, not for me – but that leaves more for you, right? Thanks for reading, Barbara!

  19. DonettaSd July 19, 2013 / 10:16 PM

    Ha! Great story telling with the ‘rings’ in the water. The last word bringing a smile.

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:27 PM

      I’m glad you liked it, Donetta. It may or may not be her prince, but she has hope!

  20. Tara R. July 20, 2013 / 4:42 AM

    I liked this happy ending. You used the prompts seamlessly.

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:28 PM

      Thanks, Tara! I’m glad the prompt words didn’t seem forced to you.

  21. Suzanne July 20, 2013 / 4:52 AM

    Fabulous! Love the way you used the prompt words, especially ring. So creative. Great ending!

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:29 PM

      Thanks, Suzanne – I appreciate you reading and sharing your thoughts!

  22. Lumdog July 20, 2013 / 4:54 AM

    Fun piece. I enjoyed the twist and the message.

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:29 PM

      I’m glad you enjoyed this one, Lumdog! Thanks for reading.

  23. Gina July 20, 2013 / 7:41 AM

    Have to kiss a lot of them… Loved the end!

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:31 PM

      Yep – she’d better get busy then, Gina 🙂

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:42 PM

      I appreciate you taking time to read it, Freya!

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 10:42 PM

      Thanks so much, Ruby – I’m glad you liked it 🙂

  24. shawnbrucepruett July 20, 2013 / 12:34 PM

    Your line “She flicked a pebble into the water, entranced by the ring rippling on the surface.” brought back memories of visiting my great grandparents in Missouri! I’d rather kiss a frog (not the poisonous type) than a toad, though! Can’t you get warts from a toad? Ewww! 🙂

    • jannatwrites July 20, 2013 / 11:48 PM

      I’m not sure about the warts…my older son had his paws all over one, so I’ll soon find out, I guess 🙂 I’m glad that line triggered memories – thanks for sharing that here, Shawn!

  25. Michael July 20, 2013 / 1:43 PM

    I see we both went the romantic route this time….:)

    • jannatwrites July 21, 2013 / 12:09 AM

      Well, with “ring” as a prompt word, romance begged to be written (whether it was love gone wrong – or right :))

  26. mairzeebp July 20, 2013 / 6:45 PM

    I LOVE that she found peace. Such a great twist. Thanks Janna, for linking up! ~Mary Beth

    • jannatwrites July 21, 2013 / 12:10 AM

      I’m glad you enjoyed this one, Mary Beth. Thanks for reading 🙂

  27. shreyakashyap July 21, 2013 / 1:14 AM

    These words they reek of romance and love and what clever 33 words !

  28. Lane July 21, 2013 / 1:44 AM

    I loved the rippling ring. Kudos on use of the prompts.

    • jannatwrites July 21, 2013 / 9:56 PM

      Thanks, Lane! I appreciate your comment.

  29. debseeman July 21, 2013 / 8:56 AM

    Romance with a dash of humor. Cute, sweet and ((sigh)) romantic.

    • jannatwrites July 21, 2013 / 9:57 PM

      🙂 I wanted to keep it upbeat this week. Thanks for reading, Deb!

  30. syllabubsea July 21, 2013 / 10:32 AM

    Love your light touch and humorous ending. Marie.

  31. trifectawriting July 21, 2013 / 12:21 PM

    There are a lot of toads out there, I hear. 🙂 Thanks for linking up!

    • jannatwrites July 21, 2013 / 9:59 PM

      I’ve heard the same…luckily, I’m not kissing any of them!

  32. Debbie July 21, 2013 / 2:05 PM

    You’re becoming a master of conveying so much feeling in so few words — well done, Janna!

    • jannatwrites July 21, 2013 / 9:59 PM

      I wouldn’t say I’m a master at it, but I do appreciate the compliment, Debbie!

  33. braintomahawk July 21, 2013 / 4:04 PM

    The ripple of water as karma. I could create a class discussion on your 33 words 😉
    Damn you’re good, thanks for sharing!

    • jannatwrites July 21, 2013 / 10:00 PM

      Your comment made me smile, BT! I read other entries and end up thinking mine are ‘eh, okay.’ Thanks so much for taking time to read it.

    • jannatwrites July 21, 2013 / 10:01 PM

      Maybe…or it could be a toad in disguise, Eric 🙂

  34. deanabo July 21, 2013 / 5:57 PM

    I love this! Looking for the right prince is frustrating but worth it!

    • jannatwrites July 21, 2013 / 10:02 PM

      Thanks, Deana! It is frustrating – enough to make a lady swear of frogs- er, men forever 🙂

  35. Laura Alonso (@LauraMilsom) July 21, 2013 / 11:39 PM

    Thanks for the read and comment on my blog. Although I’m scared of toads, this made me smile. Isabella’s got the right attitude!

    • jannatwrites July 22, 2013 / 8:57 PM

      I like toads fine…from a distance 🙂 I’m sure Isabella will find her prince. Thanks for reading, Laura!

    • jannatwrites July 22, 2013 / 8:58 PM

      I’m glad you liked this one, Jo-Anne. I appreciate you taking time to read and share your thoughts!

  36. lavender raindrops July 22, 2013 / 6:58 AM

    Cute. 🙂

  37. Imelda July 22, 2013 / 12:08 PM

    Noooo… she’ll get warts from kissing toads, or worse, she may turn into a toadette.

    Anyway, I love your response. You are obviously having a lot of fun. 🙂

    • jannatwrites July 22, 2013 / 8:59 PM

      A toadette? That’s funny, Imelda! Thanks for stopping by to read it – yes I had fun with this one 🙂

  38. Sandra July 22, 2013 / 9:14 PM

    I like how creative you are with these prompts! The fairy tale prince story is always a nice touch. No worries with the toad–he’s a cutie, too!

    • jannatwrites July 22, 2013 / 9:18 PM

      Thanks, Sandra! I like the toad, too. It was hiding out in some leaves in our yard. As for the princess, I think she’ll be fine whether or not she finds a prince 🙂

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