Natural Frequency

A Comedy Fantasy

De: Derek Finn

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

‘The Fountain of Frogs.’

Over the last week, the town is inundated with a plague of frogs that have taken over the fountain at the centre of the town piazza. The timing of this amphibian invasion could not be worse with autumnal wind raising dances of leaves across the square. With incessant croaking, the little green creatures appear to be taunting the leaves into more and more elaborate displays with the wind.

After repeated attempts from the town residents, no one has dissuaded the creatures from taking up new residence in the piazza fountain. If anything, the number of creatures appears to be increasing as each night passes, with nearby residents forced to close windows at night time for fear of unwelcome house guests. However, despite repeated warnings to residents not to approach the frog hoard, there is always one, one who will not heed warnings. A Viking woman, Togram, has decided she can no longer accept the disturbance to her Monday night TV viewing and will resolve the ‘frog’ issue herself. As you might imagine, several residents think this could be more exciting than the current series of X-Factor, and are gathered to watch the live show Viking versus Frogs play out. The Viking, armed with a witch’s broom, sweeps in across the piazza in what appears to be an attempt to catch the frogs by surprise. Her first move gathers a large swathe of frogs up in the broom and they are thrown back to one side. The frogs respond in a unison of croaking that is almost deafening, followed by leaping and jumping over one another to claim back the paving stone made clear by the broom.

To the cheering delight of the on-lookers, the Viking has adopted a defensive stance, waving the old witch’s broom above her head as though preparing a mass strike against the green creatures. The sight and sound of the spectacle is so mesmerising to participant and spectators that they have just noticed the sudden appearance of two cloaked and hooded individuals now standing in the centre of the sea of angry frogs. As one hooded stranger raises an open hand to the night, the broom held aloft by the Viking woman leaves her grip and appears to float through the sky to the open hand of the cloaked individual. The frogs’ incessant croaking has stilled to silence. The Viking woman is enraged with the uninvited interference of the pair of strangers in costume. “This is not your business,” calls the Viking, “be gone now. Come back next week for Halloween”.

The pair of hooded strangers join hands and a low sound of chanting grows louder as the two recite simultaneously. The Viking steps back as she feels the swath of frogs surrounding her feet melt away, like bath water retreating, back towards the pair of strangers.

In minutes, the piazza floor that was once covered in green, is cleared back to the paved stone floors. The Viking and the spectators feel the eerie silence of night again and, although wondering, know for sure that the Witches are home.

Real friends are never far away when you need them.

What people say about this book;

"Short Story format that is easy to read but filled with a dry humor that made me laugh out loud."
Ingrid Ryan UK ⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Totally cracked me up. Nice read and the comedy was sharp."
Irish Humor Club ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Funny Stories with a little twist of morality at the end of each chapter."
Franz Hebeck NL ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐