Frog on the Wing

There is nothing so confusing to a frog as the inability of two people or two groups of people to get along with each other. Frogs tend to be fairly pragmatic folk and tend to look at situations with a sharp eye and a clear mind. Cabo is one such frog and if you take into account the many adventures and people he has met along the way, one could say the he was a formidable presence among his peers.

The forest, although dark, felt peaceful and relaxing. The soft carpet of leaves underfoot made for the kind of silent journeying that allows one to let their thoughts ramble and play. The frog, still somewhat sore after the long journey from the plains to the mountains on horseback, decided that a midday nap would be just the thing he needed. He tossed his pack down and settled himself into a nook of a great tree that seemed to reach up beyond all the other trees in the area. He folded his arms behind his head and proceeded to recount the recent adventures with Horse. The tales he had heard of the big city tickled the imagination; made his mouth water and frightened him at the same time.

In the peaceful surroundings Cabo fell into a deep slumber that lasted quite a bit longer than the usual cat nap ought to and as the sun started to pack it’s bag and head home for a nice meal, a glass of brandy and a good read, Cabo was unceremoniously brought out of the world of dreams and into a cacophony of screeching, squawking and acute dispute. High in the verdant branches above him An army of Owls were vociferously arguing with a murder of Crows.

“At night the throne tree is ours, remove yourselves,” stated The Snowy Queen.
A large richly plumed owl, with fierce, intelligent eyes and razor sharp talons. She looked across from her perch upon a limb at the Raven King, a huge obsidian bird with a scimitar for a bill and the blackest of orbs that seemed to reflect no light at all.
“Mind your words, the night is not yet here and I am not one you can order around as you do the rest of your flock.”
Raven’s voice was both shrill and throaty and seemed to be hiding a large amount of intelligence that he’d rather not display. It was as though he preferred strength and craftiness to intellect and rhetoric.
“I would have thought that after all these years of dispute you might have learned the law and learned to abide by it,” retorted the Queen, “leave the throne for night is encroaching.
“You've had your time royal Raven, but night belongs to the owls.”
With those words both the crows and the owls reinstated the uproar that had subsided during the King and Queens repartee.

Cabo knew what trouble looked like when he saw it and decided to surreptitiously make good his departure from the area of the throne tree and into more hospitable surroundings. Unfortunately the eyes of owls are sharp at night and before he had time to shoulder his pack, two sentries spotted him and immediately moved in to subdue him. Cabo managed to avoid capture by the first bird, but not the second, and before you could say ‘hot water’ he found himself staring into the eyes of the great queen herself. Instantly changing tack Cabo stood up and addressed the sentry,
“thank you for bringing me up here, thoughtful bird.”
The sentry was taken aback, but without missing a beat the frog continued, “I never would have been able to make it all the way up here without your assistance.”
Cabo bowed to the bird then abruptly turned towards the Queen, once again bowed only this time more deeply and gracefully than he did for the sentry, and introduced himself.
”I am Cabo, but I suppose that being both wise and intelligent, you already knew that.” Raven, who would not be left out of anything going on in his kingdom alighted on the branch placing Cabo between the two very large fearsome birds. Cabo then turned toward the King.
“Good evening, Raven King,” Piped Cabo “I am…”
“I heard you,” crowed the king, cutting Cabo off. “What are you doing in my kingdom?” Queried the Raven.
“Your kingdom? My realm.” Riposted The Snow Queen with a flutter of her wings.

Frogs do not often find themselves in the predicament that Cabo was now facing. If he didn’t think quickly he would end up either as Raven’s dinner Or Owl’s breakfast; neither of which he found appealing. With a flourish and a grin Cabo reached into his pack and produced the shining shoe of good fortune. There was still enough sunlight left to make it gleam and both birds were greatly interested in it. “This was sent by those who dwell in the great cities beyond the forest as a present for the one who occupies the throne tree. ” Cabo croaked as loudly as he could, making certain that all of the birds, both crow and owl could hear him. The clamor was immediate with birds from both camps claiming the trophy.

“Obviously that belongs to me,” stated Owl with authority and Raven countered with a stentorian Caw of his own. Before either of the birds could continue the argument, Cabo, Threw the shoe high into the air. It turned and twisted and reflected the bright orange rays of the setting sun and caught the attention of the royal pair. Quick as a shot Owl was off her perch and Raven was right behind her. Owl grasped the shoe, but raven’s beak locked onto it at almost the same instant, causing both birds to lose the ability to fly effectively. They the turned and flipped and fluttered to the ground where neither one would relinquish the shoe. “I guess if you can pull the shoe into two pieces it can be shared.” Croaked Cabo mischievously from his perch high up in the tree.
“Nonsense,” twittered Owl “The shoe belongs to the owls”
“It is the rightful property of the crows,” countered Raven with a tug at the prize.
“It looks like the both of you have a problem that is beyond your intelligence to figure out,” stated frog.

Both raven and Owl stopped their struggles and stared up with distaste at the insult that was hurled down at them from above. Cabo continued, “what kind of leaders are you that can’t possibly discover the answer to something so simple that even the most obtuse among you can plainly see it.” Cabo went on “Neither of you can rightfully claim the fortune for neither of you can fly with it while the other holds you down. It belongs to the both of you and you must find a way to share it.”

Raven and Owl Stood on the ground looking first at each other and then at the frog then at each other again. And silently, without deliberation, as is the way of birds everywhere, they gasped the Shoe of good fortune together and ascended into the upper branches of the tree to where the throne was located. Owl spoke first “It looks like we may need to make this hollow larger to accommodate the both of us.” Raven responded. “The woodpeckers will be summoned to enlarge the throne berth, what shall we do about the interior?” “The sparrows and skylarks can handle that,” rejoined the Queen.

The orders were given and by the light of countless fireflies the throne was remade to fit both the king and queen. The shoe of good fortune was placed above the throne with it’s ends pointing skyward to ensure that the luck should never leave the grove. Cabo was returned to the safety of the forest floor and before ascending the throne to live and rule in harmony Raven and Snowy Owl addressed the frog. “It was truly good fortune that you happened upon us,” said the queen, “it has been some time since the birds of the forest have lived in harmony with each other.”
“This is true,” Cawed Raven, “there will still be problems for us to deal with, but I am certain that with two rulers on the throne, our flocks will prosper together.”

King and queen stepped forward together. Raven presented Cabo with the Acorn of the wood, Encased in an oak leaf, and the queen proffered the water of life preserved in a walnut shell. Cabo thanked the royal pair and promised he would visit again. He then took his leave and continued his travels to wherever they might lead.