Exploring According to Og the Frog Read online

  Home? You mean Humphreyville won’t be here forever? You could knock me over with a butterfly wing!

  Later, when Aldo comes in to take the extra chairs out and straighten the room, he pushes the table with Humphreyville up close to the table where Humphrey and I live. In the light streaming through the windows, it looks great, especially for a place made of boxes.

  As soon as Aldo leaves, Humphrey flings open his cage door and scurries to the edge of the table, squeaking at me the whole time.

  He’s already lowering himself down to Humphreyville when I take a few huge leaps and pop the top of my tank!

  “Wait for me!” I tell him.

  I’ve done quite a bit of exploring lately, and now’s my chance to explore this special little town named for my pal.

  The Humphreyville table is only a few inches below ours, so it’s a simple hop for me, and I land right on the main street.

  It’s not easy to catch up with Humphrey, who scurries along, darting inside each building and then hurrying back out.

  “Nice town, Humphrey,” I tell him.

  “SQUEAK-SQUEAK-SQUEAK!” he says. I think he’s surprised and happy that I can get out of my tank.

  I hop past Gail’s yellow house and the pizza place, the courthouse and the school.

  I can hardly believe this little town is going to be taken apart. Luckily, Mrs. Brisbane already took a lot of pictures and put them on the bulletin board.

  But in a way, no one will ever forget Humphreyville, the town named for a helpful classroom pet.

  I pause in front of the pet hospital and then hop over to get a good look at the sign that says OG THE FROG NATURE PRESERVE. I guess you could say it’s named for a helpful classroom pet, too.

  I helped Charlie and Paul. I helped Mandy, Gail, Seth and the Morales family.

  I went exploring to try to find out more about the human world, and what did I discover?

  I learned that humans are all very different. And sometimes, when they keep trying and take chances, they can do amazing things.

  I discovered that I’m braver than I thought.

  And I found a way to have even more great adventures!

  It looks like Humphrey and I have our work cut out for us, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  I feel so hoppy, I can’t help singing.

  I’ve been searching for adventure,

  ’Cause I like to roam,

  I’ve been searching for adventure,

  Away from my safe home.

  I have scaled the walls of castles

  And swam across a moat.

  I have learned about new places,

  where someday I might float.

  But even though I roam,

  Even though I roam,

  Even though I roam so far away,

  Even though I roam,

  Even though I roam,

  I am here to stay!

  “SQUEAK!” my friend chimes in.

  I keep on singing, and Humphrey joins in. He doesn’t know the words, but it doesn’t matter.

  Even though I roam,

  SQUEAK-SQUEAK-SQUEAK-SQUEAK-SQUEAK,

  Even though I roam so far away,

  SQUEAK-SQUEAK-SQUEAK-SQUEAK-SQUEAK,

  Even though I roam,

  I am here to stay!

  SQUEAK-SQUEAK!

  Sing-Along Suggestions for

  Og’s Songs

  All of Og’s songs can be sung to familiar melodies. Have fun singing!

  How I love a mucky home . . . . . . . . . “Mary Had a Little Lamb”

  Rock-a-bye, frog friends . . . . . . . . . . . . “Rock-a-bye Baby”

  I’m a prince . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “Three Blind Mice”

  Happy hatchday to you . . . . . “Happy Birthday to You”

  I’ve been yearning for adventure . . . .“I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”

  Gone exploring . . . . . . . . . . . “Oh My Darling Clementine”

  How I love my floaty moat . . . . . . . . “Mary Had a Little Lamb”

  I’ve been searching for adventure . . . “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”

  © Frank Birney

  Betty G. Birney is the author of the hugely popular Humphrey series and has written episodes for numerous children’s television shows, including The New Adventures of Madeline, Doug, and Bobby’s World, as well as after-school specials and a television movie, Mary Christmas. She has won many awards for her television work, including an Emmy, three Humanitas Prizes, and a Writers Guild of America Award.

  She is also the author of The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs and The Princess and the Peabodys.

  A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Betty lives in Los Angeles with her husband, an actor.

  Find fun Og and Humphrey activities and teacher’s guides at

  www.bettybirney.com

  Follow Og, Humphrey and Betty online

  www.facebook.com/AccordingtoHumphrey

  Twitter: @bettygbirney

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