Sticky the Red Eyed Tree Frog Goes to the Pageant

    Sticky is a Red Eyed Tree Frog who moved here from Brazil. Her best friend is Jonathan the Bullfrog; she lives right above him in the old weeping willow tree on the creek bank by the big meadow in the Shady Forest.

    Sticky is much more slender than Jonathan, but seems to eat just as much. Perhaps it is because she has to climb up and down that weeping willow tree every day.

    One of her friends is a snail named shelly. One day Shelly heard about an Amphibian Beauty Pageant. "STICKY", she yelled, "You have got to enter that pageant!"  Sticky was scared but asked, "Do you really think I have a chance?" "Why not, your beautiful", said Shelly. "You have that beautiful bright green skin, and those big red eyes!"

    So Sticky entered the Amphibian Beauty Pageant. Later she found out who else was going to be in the competition. There was a Bullfrog, a Toad, a Salamander, and other tree frogs like a Flying tree grog, & a European Green Tree frog. There are still others from the tropics that are very brightly colored yellow or blue, Sticky was scared.

    Sticky & her mom went to buy fabric to make a dress for the pageant. But Sticky was afraid to wear a dress that her mom made. Sticky's mom said, "If you buy a dress…… somebody's mom made it! Why not me? Besides Grandma Tortoise said that she would help me. It will be beautiful!" So they got their fabric and went home. 

    While her mom and Grandma Tortoise were sewing, Jonathan the bullfrog & Shelly the snail were helping Sticky practice walking pretty, talking clearly, and smiling. 

    Finally, the big night was here. Sticky looked so pretty that her dad didn't know who she was. She was stunning, with her handmade dress, pearl earrings, and eye-catching shoes. 

    Beulah the Bullfrog was a little fat but Jonathan thought that she looked so nice in her green dress, Sally the Salamander also looked fashionable in her silver dress, Teresa the Toad was wearing a chocolate brown dress, they all looked fine but the Grand Champion Winner is always a tree frog.

    Shelly the snail noticed that Brenda the Blue tree frog wore a short dress, while Yolanda the Yellow tree frog wore a long dress, Felicity the Flying tree frog had a purple dress with green triangles and red circles on it, Shelly told Jonathan that dress is so ugly! 

    Then Sticky came out in her yellow sundress with tiny red flowers on it. It was the perfect length and the color coordinated with her big red eyes. Sticky looked like an angel.

    Then the show began. First, there was a dance number. They were all synchronized together, and it was exciting. Sticky's parents were so proud. Jonathan was applauding and croaking with approval & Shelly was whistling because snails can't clap loud.

    Then they all came out in there dresses. Sticky was nervous but she looked fantastic. They all walked out on the stage one at a time. They stopped to look at the audience, and then walked across the front of the stage. Then they each walked back to the middle of the stage to form a line. 

    All seven girls were asked a question to see how much they knew about the world. "If you should take the title of Amphibian Queen, how would you improve the world and why?" asked the announcer.  Most of the girls talked about floods, fires or earthquakes in other places, but did not know how to help. Then it was Sticky's turn. 

    She cleared her throat, stood up proud and tall and said," If I become Amphibian Queen, I would do my best to invite everyone here to the Shady Forest. Everyone here is so kind to each other. And they are always doing things to help one another. The world would be a better place if everyone could be like my friends here in the Shady Forest.

    The crowd gave a thunderous round of applause, and they all stood up on their feet for a standing ovation. After the room calmed down, the announcer looked to the judges and said, "The envelope please." The center judge stood up and handed the announcer the envelope. 

    The announcer opened the envelope, read it turned to the girls and said, "Our New Amphibian Queen is"…………
    The tension in the crowd was excruciating as they hung on every word, waiting for the announcement. Our New Amphibian Queen is ………. "Sticky the Red Eyed Tree Frog!!!"

    The audience went wild. And as they put the crown on Sticky's head, her family was jumping & leaping in the isle, and Jonathan the bullfrog was so proud, he croaked with glee. Shelly the snail was NOT surprised. Shelly has always known that Sticky the Red Eyed Tree Frog was very beautiful, and now Sticky knows it too!