Author: Arnold Lobel
Plot Summary: When Toad arrives at Frog’s door to find a note saying he’s gone out because he wants to be alone, Toad cannot understand why his friend would want to be alone when they have him for companionship. Toad searches for Frog, eventually finding him alone on a rock in the middle of a river. Assuming Frog must feel sad if he wants to sit alone like that, Toad makes a picnic lunch and brings it to the river. While riding out to the rock to meet Frog, Toad talks with a turtle who suggests that perhaps he should leave Frog alone if he wants to be alone. The turtle’s blunt suggestions cause Toad to feel insecure in his friendship and he calls out apologies to Frog for his many blunders. Toad and his lunch basket fall in the river causing a commotion and ruining his picnic. Frog helps Toad out of the river and then explains he wanted to be alone to think about how happy he is. The story closes with the two friends sitting on the rock “alone together.”
Posted In: Ethics
Plot Summary: When Toad arrives at Frog’s door to find a note saying he’s gone out because he wants to be alone, Toad cannot understand why his friend would want to be alone when they have him for companionship. Toad searches for Frog, eventually finding him alone on a rock in the middle of a river. Assuming Frog must feel sad if he wants to sit alone like that, Toad makes a picnic lunch and brings it to the river. While riding out to the rock to meet Frog, Toad talks with a turtle who suggests that perhaps he should leave Frog alone if he wants to be alone. The turtle’s blunt suggestions cause Toad to feel insecure in his friendship and he calls out apologies to Frog for his many blunders. Toad and his lunch basket fall in the river causing a commotion and ruining his picnic. Frog helps Toad out of the river and then explains he wanted to be alone to think about how happy he is. The story closes with the two friends sitting on the rock “alone together.”
Posted In: Ethics
Discussion Questions
- Is there a difference between being alone and being lonely?
- What is helpful about spending time alone?
- What is challenging about spending time alone?
- Like Toad, do we often assume that people are upset when they want to be alone? Why?
- Is it possible to be alone together?
- The turtle is very honest with Toad about the possibility that Frog does not like him anymore. Is the turtle too honest? Where is the line between honesty and hurting someone’s feelings?
- Frog says he feels “good because the sun is shining” and “good because I am a frog.” What do you feel good about? Is it easier to think about what we feel good about or what we do not feel good about?
This lesson can be used either in a classroom or online.
You can use either the physical version of the story, found in Lobel’s Days with Frog and Toad, or this video read-aloud.
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