By Christina K Sangma
Once upon a time, there lived a small green frog named Milo. Milo lived in a quiet pond surrounded by tall grass and soft mud. The pond was his whole world. It shimmered in the sunlight, buzzed with dragonflies, and sang with the voices of other frogs every evening.
Milo loved his pond, but he was also very curious. Every day, Milo sat on the same smooth rock near the edge of the water. From there, he watched a tiny stream flow out of the pond and disappear into the forest. Milo often wondered where the stream went.
“What is beyond the tall trees?” he asked himself.
One morning, after a night of heavy rain, the stream grew wider and faster. Leaves floated past, and the water sparkled as if inviting him. Milo felt a little nervous, but his curiosity was stronger.
“I will just take a look, ” he said softly.
With one careful hop, Milo jumped into the stream.
The water carried him gently forward. At first, he stayed close to the edge, clinging to wet stones. The sounds of the pond slowly faded away. Instead, he heard birds calling, insects humming, and the rustle of leaves above him.
Milo had never seen so many colors. Bright flowers leaned over the water, and tall trees made cool shadows. He met a turtle resting on a log and a fish darting quickly past him.
“Where are you going?” the turtle asked.
“I don’t know,” Milo replied.
“I’m exploring.”
The stream led Milo to a wide river. The water moved faster here, and Milo felt scared again. He rested on a floating leaf and thought of his pond. He missed its quiet and familiar sounds.
But then Milo noticed something beautiful.
Along the riverbank was a small wetland filled with shallow pools, soft moss, and plenty of insects. The air was cool, and the water was calm. It felt safe.
Milo hopped onto the muddy ground and explored carefully. He found tall reeds to hide in and smooth stones to sunbathe on. At night, the stars reflected in the water just like they did in his old pond.
Milo realised something important. This place was different, but it was good.
Days passed, and Milo grew comfortable in his new home. He made new frog friends and learned new paths through the wetland. Sometimes, he still thought about his old pond, and that was okay. It was where his journey began.
One evening, as Milo sat by the water, he smiled.
I didn’t lose my home,he said.
“I found another one.”
And so, Milo the frog lived happily in his new habitat, knowing that being brave had led him to a bigger, richer world, one hop at a time.
