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A Frog Named French Fry

With my three boys, he didn't have a chance...

By Kelly Miller

I thoroughly enjoyed this article! It is so
realistic and just like what could happen with
three boys in their backyard. It was a bit of
a surprise that the frog didn't make it, but
that's realistic too. This brightened my day
and was funny from beginning to end.

Posted by: Gretchen Moser | Oct 02, 2006 18:44

Oh the perils of boys!! Hysterical story...could write a book!
Thanks for brightening my day with a little humor. We could all use more of that.

Posted by: Amy Bennet | Oct 07, 2006 13:38

I'm disturbed that you watched your children torturing and then killing a defenseless animal without bothering to shepherd their explorations so as to ensure that poor frog survived.

Posted by: amax | Nov 28, 2006 06:08

Your story was very amusing and reminded me of my own childhood when my brother would capture and "keep" little creatures. Many times they would end up on the floor as my mother pulled the clothes from the washer to the dryer. As I read your story, I did not picture you standing in the window watching as this occurance took place, and do not see you as an enabler to sociopath children. I think the experience was a good lesson for your boys...
Thanks for a great story!

Posted by: Shelly Zobolas | Nov 28, 2006 16:20

To quote the author ... "Much like the beginning of a good horror novel, the stage was set for the unnatural demise of the frog. As I watched the boys, “play” with the frog, my unease increased."

She described herself watching them. And I do find that disturbing. Children will learn lessons from all that they do, surely it is the job of parents to guide their learning and prevent them from harm-doing?

P.S. Imagine for an instant that the frog was a creature you actually cared about (a baby bird or a kitten), is the lesson so good then, the story so funny? Surely one would step in to disallow torture of those small creatures - why is the frog unprotected?

Posted by: amax | Nov 28, 2006 20:59

To quote the author ... "Much like the beginning of a good horror novel, the stage was set for the unnatural demise of the frog. As I watched the boys, “play” with the frog, my unease increased."

She described herself watching them. And I do find that disturbing. Children will learn lessons from all that they do, surely it is the job of parents to guide their learning and prevent them from harm-doing?

P.S. Imagine for an instant that the frog was a creature you actually cared about (a baby bird or a kitten), is the lesson so good then, the story so funny? Surely one would step in to disallow torture of those small creatures - why is the frog unprotected?

Posted by: amax | Nov 29, 2006 05:18

Maybe we need to redirect some readers to the "Perfect Parent" website. As the mother of two boys and keeper of numerous salamanders (with my knowledge), snakes (without my consent), gerbils (cute for a while), a white rat (don't ask), and soon a cat (to get rid of the mice), I can completely relate to Kelly's challenges. And I'm happy to say my kids have been to more animal funerals than human funerals. Keep up the great writing - love those stories!

Posted by: Robin | Dec 15, 2006 19:03

I wholeheartedly recommend people go to the Perfect Parent website, perfectparent.com. Go on, I dare you. ;)

Posted by: prescott | Dec 15, 2006 22:41

Oh such a true story. But trust me, it's not just boys. Not by a longshot. Oh, the day of the rotted mouse in the underseat tote on the Thomas the Tank Engine ride-on-toy. Don't ask. One thing that had the most impact was always to keep a legitimate, pre-approved family pet and to teach immense respect for it. It gets easier :)

Posted by: AnaBanana | Feb 22, 2008 02:29

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