Nanor       

     There once was a frog who did not believe that he should be a frog.  As such, he told his friends but not his relatives, for he had none of the latter, that he would someday leave them and their beloved swamp.

     The frog's name was Nanor, pronounced [nah-nor].  It was not really such a spectacular or very different name and the other frogs did not think much of it.  However, Nanor felt that his name was indeed very significant although he could not really explain why he felt as he did. 

     Nanor continually tried to tell anyone willing to listen that he had come to the swamp through very unusual circumstances.  Whenever he would tell of how he firmly believed that in his previous life he had been a handsome young man with some importance in his community, the other frogs would break out in laughter.

     "Ho!  Ho!  Ho!" laughed the large frogs.

     "Ha!  Ha!  Ha!" laughed the medium-sized frogs.

     "Hee!  Hee!  Hee!" laughed the small frogs.

     Although Nanor felt sad because the other frogs did not believe his story, he never gave up hope that some day he would once again be a man and that he would be able to continue the life that he had left so many years before. 

     You may be wondering what kind of story Nanor told anyone who would listen; so I will tell you the way that he told it.

     Whenever someone was willing to listen, Nanor, the frog, would begin his tale and continue as follows:

     "A long time ago, I lived in a small village with my parents and my brothers and sisters.  My father who was known as Master Ronan, pronounced [Row-nahn], had been appointed leader of the village.  It was his responsibility to make sure that all went well with all the people and the animals living there.  My father was a just man.  He ensured that everyone had enough to eat as well as a comfortable place to rest at night or to seek shelter when the wild storms blew in from the north country.  Even though my father was the recognized leader of the village, our family lived much as did the rest of the community.  Each adult member of the village had a job to do.  Children began to help when they were still quite young.  It made each person happy to know that he or she was a useful member of the community.

     For many years, our village lived in peace and contentment.  I grew up following in my father's footsteps.  I learned how to understand those who lived around me.  I learned how each person is different and has something unique to offer.  As the years went by, I began to see how there are usually several ways of looking at problems and situations.  I saw that it was good to look at things from a variety of points of view before making a choice or deciding an important matter.

     The years went by.  Eventually, my father grew old and the people of the village appointed me to look after them the way my father had.

     I continued the leadership that my father had shown.  One day, however, things changed suddenly.  A neighbouring village leader had decided that he should lead our community as well as his own.  He came dressed in flashy clothing and accompanied by a band of musicians.  The colours were bright, the music was loud, and to make things even worse; my rival leader handed out free ale to all who would have it.  Before long, there was dancing, singing, and yelling in the streets of our peaceful village.  I could see what was going to happen.  I pleaded with the people not to be taken in by the flashy newcomer.  Few listened however, and soon my rival began to speak.  He promised great things for our village.  The people began to yell encouragement, to cheer, and to applaud.  In desperation, I demanded a chance to be heard.  To my surprise, the new arrival granted me permission to speak. 

     Unaware of the evil intent of my rival, I jumped at the chance to address my fellow villagers.  My heart was full of what I wanted to express to them.  I reminded them of all that we had accomplished.  I tried to make them see that it would be hard to find anyone in the village who was truly unhappy.  As I spoke, I grew thirsty and asked for a glass of water.  It was brought to me by one of my rival's servants.  As soon as the water touched my tongue, I felt myself grow small.  I went to get up but all I managed was a hop.  It was then that I realized what had happened.  I had been turned into a frog! 

     Most of the people watching were so excited and caught up by the newcomer's charm that they did not even notice my disappearance.  I had no choice but to seek a new home.  This is the way that I came to live in this lovely swamp with you, my friends."

     This is the story that Nanor, the frog, told.  Unfortunately, everytime he told it, the same thing happened:

     "Ho!  Ho!  Ho!"  laughed the large frogs.

     "Ha!  Ha!  Ha!"  laughed the medium-sized frogs.

     "Hee!  Hee!  Hee!"  laughed the small frogs.

     This went on for quite some time.  Nanor was getting tired of telling his story and being made fun of.  One day, he had an idea.  He knew that all of the animals in the area truly respected Houbou, pronounced [oo-boo], the wise owl who made his home in one of the hollow trees of the swamp.  Nanor decided to ask Houbou to verify his story.  Everyone knew that Houbou knew everything that went on in the swamp and its surroundings.  It was also common knowledge that the wise owl was very very old and that he knew a great deal about local history.

     Thus it came about that one evening when the fat moon sailed through a cloudless summer sky, Houbou came to address the frogs of the swamp.  The story that he had to tell was very much the same as the one that Nanor had told time and time again.  The wise owl spoke in a solemn voice and when he was finished, not a single frog laughed.  In fact, the swamp had never been so quiet.  After a short time, little by little, each of the frogs that lived in the swamp came by to apologize to Nanor.  The way of life that he had learned as a child had not been forgotten by Nanor and he accepted the apologies with forgiveness and understanding.

     So it came to be that the attitude of the frogs of the swamp changed towards Nanor.  Each member of the swamp community wanted to help him if it were possible.  However, not a single frog knew what to do to restore Nanor to his former shape and stature. 

     Meanwhile, Houbou the owl had watched what was going on.  One evening, he spoke as follows:

     "I know someone living in the nearby forest who may be able to help.  She is a very kind magician.  Gwendolyn Of The Trees is her name.  She would not refuse to help us if she can.  Of that I am certain."

     The following evening. Houbou came back with news.

     "The lovely magician, Gwendolyn, says that you must be able to ride a horse back to the village, Nanor.  Once there, if you jump in the arms of the evil leader's daughter, Isabelle, you will regain your human form."

     At these words, the frogs began to moan in despair for all knew that frogs do not ride horses.  Nanor, however, became full of hope.  He thanked Houbou and immediately began to think of a plan that would restore him to the people of his village.

     It was known that the evil leader and his men often came by the swamp on their way to the forest to hunt.  Nanor knew that his only chance was to jump on a horse as it went by.  He knew that from the ground, this was not possible.  That is why the rest of the frogs were sad and had given up hope.  Nanor, in spite of this, had an idea:  He would climb a tree.  Imagine the reaction of the frogs when they heard his idea.  A frog climb a tree!

     "Ho!  Ho!  Ho!"  laughed the large frogs.

     "Ha!  Ha!  Ha!"  laughed the medium-sized frogs.

     "Hee!  Hee!  Hee!"  laughed the small frogs.

     Nanor was not discouraged.  He began to practice immediately;  and one day, he found himself so high in a tree that he could see his village in the distance.  As he watched, he saw in a cloud of dust the evil leader and his men approaching on their horses.  Nanor was in a tree just above the path that the horsemen were following.  As the leader's horse went by, Nanor jumped unnoticed in the leader's hunting bag.

     Nanor had always loved all the animals of the forest and it was with sincere hope that he prayed that the leader and his hunters would find nothing to shoot that day.  As darkness was beginning to fall and the hunters, hungry and tired, had found nothing; the leader gave orders to return to the village.

     The horsemen galloped back to their homes and as the leader entered his own house, he threw his hunting bag on the table in disgust.  His daughter, sitting at the table, was secretly pleased for she was a kind soul who loved life and all that it has to offer.  She did not approve of her father's ways.  His hunting of the animals of the forest had always made her sad.

     It was at this point that Nanor jumped out of the bag and into the arms of the evil leader's daughter.  Instantly, Nanor returned to his former shape.  As he did, he appologized for intruding so rudely upon the young woman's space.  She, however, did not seem displeased at all.  On the other hand, her father immediately recognized the young man as the young Master Ronan.  He was so shocked that he fell into a long sleep.  As far as I know, he has not yet awakened from it.

     So it came about that Nanor became once more Master Ronan.  The frogs of the swamp understood why their friend had thought that his name was significant.  The better spellers among them realized that "Nanor" was "Ronan" spelled backwards.  They had also learned from him that one should never give up hope.  The old proverb "where there is a will there is a way" had certainly been proven true by Nanor, the frog.

     The young Master Nanor restored the previous order to his village.  He made certain that everyone was able to feel necessary to the community.  Everyone felt that he or she had something to offer no matter how different he or she might be from his or her friends and relatives.

     I have been told that Ronan and Isabelle ( as you will recall, that is the lovely daughter's name) now have a family.  And oh, how their children love to hear the story of their father's adventure.  Believe me, no one laughs when he tells it.

     It has also come to my attention that Ronan, after discussion with the people of the village, and much to the delight of the frogs and the animals, has declared that the swamp and the forest are now a public park where no hunting is allowed. 

     I suppose that if you want to pay a visit to the village that I have just told you about, it could be arranged; especially if you have a good imagination.

      Oh, by the way, now you also know where tree frogs got their start.

 The End