Sun shone brightly when Frog stretched their back and stood up. They took the hat, the ribbon and the bottle and went on.
After a while, before them was the last stretch of the road. It made them the more excited and wary at the same time. The failure to meet anyone who might be the sender of the message so far made it seem like the third bend was the one. But was it? Maybe Frog missed the exact date? Maybe the sender was sitting at the first bend, waiting for them, or maybe they were still on their way to the second one, one that Frog has just left.
Frog knew instantly when the Sea of Reeds appeared on the horizon. The golden-grey shroud that has covered the river after the third bend glittered in the sunlight.
When Frog hopped towards the bend they did not seem to see or hear anyone. Still filled with doubts they sat on the ground, marvelling at surrounding reeds. Frog was looking up and down the road, hoping for someone to show up, waiting. Their wandering eyes caught a small opening in the wall of trees to the side of the road. With a tingle of curiosity they hopped closer to see a crossroads. The road they travelled so far was going alongside the river. Another one was leading into the thick forest, quickly fading in the distance.
Suddenly Frog heard rustling. They turned frantically and saw a shadow of a bird, in the distance. An eerie wind swept through the reeds. The clouds darkened the sky just for a split second, but it was enough for Frog to feel fear shivers again. But enough is enough. The world in which Frog grew was beautiful and so was the river, so was the Trunk Bridge and the Sea of Reeds. The shadow quickly disappeared and Frog felt stupid.
The third bend was just like the others – empty. No one came, no one even appeared on the horizon. Just a shadow of a bird, just a shadow of a presence. But Frog smiled to themselves.
It did not matter that they were alone, that the third bend of the river did not give them answers. It gave them something so much more – curiosity and power to act on it. The new itch, that could not get easily scratched, grew in Frog. The imagination now ran wild. The images colliding in their head, conversations mixing and feelings swelling. Frog looked upon the river and the Sea of Reeds. It was beautiful and it was worth it, all of it was.
Frog hopped back to the river’s bank and took of the hat, bottle and the ribbon.
Frog put the hat upside down on the river, tied the ribbon around it, and held it in one hand until they secured the bottle inside. When they made sure it will float, they let it go with the stream, beyond the bend, back towards the Trunk Bridge and home.
In that instance Frog knew who they were destined to meet here. It was the right time and the right person. They smiled and looked at the forest crossroads. Something awaited them there, or maybe nothing. Maybe even Fear was out there. Yes. It was there for sure. Frog hopped hopefully into the darkening forest path. Behind them sun set behind the Sea of Reeds. Only we can let ourselves become ourselves.
