Changes

The stars are out tonight.  We tree frogs are in the trees, where we sit round all together doing nothing, not even on the alert because Joe the lion isn't interested in us.  So many animals live their lives afraid.  The meerkats; the wild boar; the gazelles; everything except Ziggy 'I Dig Everything' Mole-rat.

'Everything's all right!' he says.  'For me at least!'

What is it like underground?  Is it better than this, just clinging to a branch?  It's not just boredom I feel, but sorrow, and a sense of doubt that this is even where I should be.  How I'd love it: here today and gone tomorrow.

Please.  Get real, I tell myself, day after day.

One thing is a little different tonight.  There are too many of us girls here; no males; no one in the Silver Tree Top School for Boys.  'Jump,' they say, 'to the nearest female and get on board.'  No thank you.  Don't let it me be.

It's Jean who changes first, so she's not Jean anymore.  She, I mean he, is different in the blink of an eye.  His eyes bulge.  He says, 'Oh!  You pretty things!'

More will change soon, and echo that mating call, but no one calls to me.  They don't call to anyone specifically, but what I mean is, they don't speak to my heart.  I wonder what is wrong with me.  I'm deranged.  It's time to get out of here... move on... before I change.  Some are changing near me.  Does that mean I'll be safe?  'Hang onto yourself,' I say, as I slip away.

As soon as I'm away from them, I feel free.  I can't explain, but let me try.  This land is hot and feels all wrong to me.  Now I feel that I am going to find the real, cool world at last.  I find a tree that calls to me, as my fellows never did.  'If you lie beneath my shade, I'll keep you nice and cool.'

Now little me is waiting, standing through the night.  I feel that even death would be a brilliant adventure.  I don't fear it like the others.  It's a big illusion.  Back there, I was undetected by the stars, but now they know.  He will find me.  Tonight, or the next day, or the next, or after I die.

At last he comes, and I stretch out my tongue, and I say, 'Hallo, Space Boy.'

He smiles and holds out his hand.  'Are you hungry?'

'Yes.  What is it?'

'A spider from Mars.'

No frog ever heard of Mars, and yet somehow I know what he means.  I ask, 'Is there life on Mars?'

'And beyond,' he says.  'You and I will raise up all the way.'

I stare at him in fascination.  'Don't bring me down again, ever!  I've been waiting for you.'

'Do you give me your heart?'

'Oh, yes!'

Will the others see me go?  I can imagine them thinking: There they go, funny how they look so good together.  Am I a future legend?  Will I be the first common reed frog to achieve fame?

We will only love each other.  That is the sweet thing I long to hear him say.  Be my wife.  But no.  Are there others out here besides me, loving the alien?  Little wonder if there are thousands... millions... all across the universe.