ROBERT KARRICK
1573 Oxford Way
Bowling Green, KY 42103
695 Words
Text for Children’s Picture Book
THE NEW POND
Fargo splashed and croaked happily on a small farm pond that he shared with
his friends, Dill and Dally.
One summer, a severe drought shrunk their pond to a puddle. Dill and
Dally decided to move to a larger pond where they would have plenty of room to
swim and play. But leaving the farm posed a problem.
The new pond was several miles to the north. Dill and Dally could easily fly
over the woods, roads, and hills to get there, but Fargo couldn’t possibly hop that
far. How was he going to join his friends?
Dill and Dally told Fargo about their need to move, and tears welled up in
Fargo’s eyes. He couldn’t bear the thought of being left behind.
Commented [BS1]: Is this word appropriate for a
children’s book?
Karrick / POND / 2
The trio of friends tried to think of a way Fargo could make the journey. Dill
suggested that Fargo hop onto a fence post near the road. When a truck heading
north drove by, Fargo could hop from the post onto the back of the truck. Fargo
thought Dill’s plan just might work.
Fargo sat on top of the fence post and waited. A flatbed truck hauling hay
came barreling down the highway, and Fargo leapt with all his might.
THUD! CRACKLE! Fargo landed right in the middle of the scorching hot
blacktop road. The truck whizzed by so fast that he missed it by a mile.
Fargo hopped upon the fence post to give it another try. This time a dump truck
came rumbling down the highway, and Fargo leapt with every ounce of his strength.
SMACK! FRIZZLE! Fargo hit the steamy pavement once again. His tummy was
getting a little toasty. He and his friends realized this idea was not going to work.
The trio put their heads together again hoping to come up with a better plan.
Dally suggested that Fargo wait on top of the mailbox until the postman stopped to
deliver the farmer’s mail. Fargo could leap into the back of the mail jeep and ride with
the postman on his cross-country route to a field near the new pond.
Commented [BS2]: Necessary?
Karrick / POND / 3
The next day the postman made his usual stop, and Fargo hopped to dead
center in the back of the jeep. BINGO!
What Fargo hadn’t expected to see in the jeep was the postman’s big furry
cat that rode along for the daily trip. The menacing cat took one look at Fargo, arched
its back and hissed angrily. Fargo quickly leapt out of the jeep and...
SPLAT! SIZZLE! The sunbaked pavement was hot enough to fry an egg,...and frog
legs too! Fargo began to think that it was not safe to be hopping on or near the highway.
As Fargo and his friends discussed the possibility of yet another plan, Fargo
looked toward the barn and noticed a horse’s bridle hanging on a peg. The bridle
had a bit that fit into a horse’s mouth. Fargo leapt for joy because the bit had given
him a terrific idea.
Commented [BS3]: It seems like a jump from the bridle to
the idea. Maybe either a bit more explanation or a different
inspiration?
Fargo found a stick and suggested that Dill and Dally fly side by side with the
stick in their bills. He could clamp his mouth onto the middle of the stick and be carried
Commented [BS4]: Wrapping his tongue would be more
characteristic of a frog.
along to the new pond. Dill and Dally high-fived in agreement with Fargo’s idea.
Commented [BS5]: Do birds high five? Is this something
more natural they could do?
Fargo’s plan worked beautifully.
Karrick / POND / 4
They were flying along with great success until a farmhand plowing the field
below looked up and exclaimed, “What on earth! Who could have thought of that?”
Fargo proudly responded, “I di
i
i
i
i
d." SPLAT!
Dill and Dally took a steep dive toward the ground hoping to find their
friend alive.
There, lying belly up in mud on the bank of the new pond, was Fargo. Dill and
Commented [BS6]: Shouldn’t he be face down?
Dally landed in the water and waddled quickly up the bank toward their friend. They
were startled when Fargo sprang to his feet and shouted, “Are we there yet?”
Dill and Dally quacked joyfully, and Fargo croaked excitedly as the trio
realized they had survived the journey together.
Fargo leapt to a plump green lily pad and smiled broadly as he watched Dill
and Dally glide through the cool, clear waters of the new pond.
Commented [BS7]: Yes Fargo was at risk but the birds?
Survive seems like too strong a word.