FROG MAN

I can remember squirming with disgust when an unsuspecting frog lost his way into our kitchen. I fluttered about the house agonizing over how I was going to get the slimy intruder outside without making physical contact. That was years ago, and, I must admit, time only intensified my aversion to frogs. But after reading of their imminent extinction, I suddenly felt ashamed; my animosity toward this helpless amphibian was not only unwarranted, it was blatantly ignorant. Will this be yet another casualty in the name of modern living? I sincerely hope not. Imagine how feeble our childhood fairy tales would be without the frog.

I’m afraid the California red-legged is leaping on borrowed time. I only hope Mark Jennings’ census will lead to a solution before the frog is gone forever.

Jennings is right; they are just plain cute.

MARTHA MERCER

San Gabriel