Quassie the Frog and the Big Puddle

Under a big burdock leaf, a tiny green frog named Quassie was shaking.
Quassie was green, green as a leaf. She loved to hop through the grass — hop, hop!
But Quassie was very scared of water.
"Ribbit-ribbit!" she cried when she saw a puddle.
One morning, Mama Frog said, "Quassie, let's go to the pond!"
Quassie hid under a leaf.
"No, no, I'm scared!"
Mama smiled.
"Don't go far, sweetie. I'll be right beside you."
They went to the pond. The water was warm and blue. Leaves floated on the water.
"See?" said Mama. "The water is soft, like a blanket."
Quassie stood at the edge. Then she touched the water with one little foot.
Plop!
The water felt nice!
"Now sit on a leaf," suggested Mama.
Quassie carefully sat on a big leaf. The leaf bobbed — wiggle, waggle.
"Oh, this is fun!" laughed Quassie.
Then she slipped off the leaf. She put all four feet in the water.
The water held her — gently, gently.
"Kick your feet," said Mama. "One-two, one-two."
Quassie kicked her feet. And she swam! A little at first, then a little more.
"Mama, I'm swimming! Ribbit-ribbit!"
She swam to a yellow lily pad. Then back to Mama. The water held her tight, soft and safe.
"Good job, sweetie!" praised Mama.
Quassie swam all day. She dove for bugs, rode on leaves, and played with other little frogs.
In the evening, they sat by the shore. The sun was setting, and the water turned pink.
"Mama, can we go swimming again tomorrow?" asked Quassie.
"Of course," said Mama, and she hugged her daughter.
Quassie closed her eyes. She dreamed of swimming in warm water under the stars.