Many years ago, in early spring at sunset, the Wise Lad was wandering the Frog Song Marsh, watching the frogs and toads emerge from their places of hibernation, forming long slippery lines as they headed to the many ponds.

As darkness fell the mating calls of the male frogs and toads were deafening – a thousand thousand voices raising their caphony throughout the marshland.

Thus the Wise Lad was surprised to find a solitary frog sitting apart on a stone.

“What are you doing?” He enquired. “Why aren’t you seeking a mate with the rest?”

“I’m meditating,” the frog’s legs were crossed and his pads rested on his shins.

The Wise Lad knew a little of meditation from sitting still with his father, Nodens, staring into the waters as they waited together for a fish to take the hook.

“I’ve never known a frog to meditate before,” the Wise Lad was stunned.

The frog frowned. “Can you not see these legs were made perfectly not only for jumping and swimming but for sitting in meditation? These pads not only for catching prey and clinging onto mates but for holding hand gestures? These lungs and gills for breathing deeply both in and out of water?”

“You can meditate under water too?” the Wise Lad asked in admiration.

The frog nodded glibly and demonstrated by hopping into a nearby pool, sinking down to the bottom and once again taking up his meditating posture. 

On getting out, “And don’t you believe the lies of the other frogs who will tell you I’m not a frog at all, that I’m the son of a chieftain who the Hag of Marsh Pond put a spell upon, that I’m avoiding the mating rites because I don’t want to be kissed by a frog or a woman and turned back into a human again.”

“I wouldn’t believe such lies at all,” the Wise Lad reassured him.

“Good,” said the frog as he continued meditating through the nocturnal frog-song.

This story was received as taking place near Marsh Way Pond in Penwortham.