CLARA Chapter 8 Pigs Are Not Like Frogs

Clara and Gilligan visited for awhile there by the rock in the meadow. She told Gilligan all about her plans of becoming the first adventure seeking pig in the whole wide world. She told him about racing with Peter the pony and learning about checking for ladybugs and hornets and bees before sniffing the beautiful flowers in the meadow and she was glad Gilligan had told her about butterflies. Gilligan seemed very wise, at least for a frog.

“Well,” Clara said, “I should be on my way, thank you.  I have enjoyed our visit and learning about butterflies.  I think I should not want to be a butterfly after all.  The life of a butterfly would not be a good life for a little pig.” She glanced over at the butterflies that were still dancing among the flowers and she sighed.

“Thank you for visiting with me, Mr. Frog, but now I must be off seeking my very own great adventure. I have never had an adventure before. I am the first adventure seeking pig in the world.”

“You are quite welcome, Miss Pig and I assure you, I am quite pleased you have decided not to be a butterfly.  I have enjoyed our visit too and I am very pleased to have met you. Now where is it you are off to on this great adventure of yours?” Gilligan asked.
 
"I'm going to the pond to visit the ducks." Clara answered. “I have never been to the pond before but Mrs. Duck tells me it is a very wonderful place. I’m going to the pond.”

"I was just on my way there myself," Gilligan said, "hop along with me. We'll go to the pond together." Gilligan hopped away toward the pond and Clara followed, trying her very best to hop the way Gilligan did. 

Clara didn't hop very well either and as much fun as hopping might be, Clara didn't think she would make a very good frog.  “However,” thought Clara, “hopping was not as difficult as flying and maybe if she practiced she could learn to hop and leap better.  She just might be the first hopping, leaping pig in the world. 

“I’m having a wonderful day seeking adventure,” Clara said, speaking only to herself, “but I shall never really be a frog. Pigs and frogs are not the same. I may never be as good as hopping and leaping as Mr. Frog is but I can have fun learning. I can try.”

“Seeking adventure is a very hard job,” Clara thought to herself. “It is not at all like I thought it would be but I am seeing a lot of marvelous things I have never seen before and I am learning a lot of wonderful things too. I think it is good to learn new things and to try new things, even if I am not very good at them.”
 
Clara hurried along, running and then hopping and leaping, well sort of, behind Gilligan and in almost no time they arrived at the pond where Mrs. Duck and her ducklings were taking a swim.