harry e plopper and the tale of phibian's sea

8/8/2019 Harry E Plopper and the Tale of Phibian's Sea

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Harry E. Plopper

and the

Tale of Phibians Sea

By

Lisa Alvir

Copyright 2009 by Lisa Alvir

Grand Junction, CO USA


3/21

How great is GodBeyond our understanding

He draws up the drops of water,

Which distill as rain to the streams,The clouds pour down their moisture

And abundant showers fall on mankind.

Who can understand

How He spreads out the clouds,

How He thunders from His pavilion?

See how He scatters His lightning about Him,

bathing the depths of the sea.

Job 36:26-30 NIV


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Harry E. Plopper and Phibians Sea

Harry E. Plopper loved to sit in the rain. Josiah K. Jumper did not. Josiah

frowned as his friend Harry laughed at big plump drops of rain plopping into

Pinion Hollow Pond all about them.

Plip, plop, said the rain.

Plip, plop, Harry sang along.

Ow! Oh! Ow! Josiah croaked as the rain plipped and plopped on his little

green head. The bullfrog blinked and wiped at the water tricking down his nose.

Harry! he cried. Doesnt our hollow log look cozy and warm?

Dont be such a tadpole, Harry replied. Isnt the rain great? It soundshappy. Plip, plop. Harry rocked back and forth to the rhythm of the falling rain.

Plip, plop.

Jo groaned. Where does all this rain come from anyway?

From the sky of course!

Duh! But how does it get up there? Jo looked up at the sky filled with

dark clouds blowing slowly about in the wind.

Plip, plop. Harry rocked back and forth. Try it Jo. Its fun!

Feeling wary, Jo gazed upward. He swayed left. He swayed right.

Plip, plopsploosh!

OW! Josiah flinched as a big drop smacked him on the forehead.

Enough! he cried. Jo dove into the water and swam for safety.

Snuggled up under a mound of dry leaves, Jo peered out at his wet world.

Overhanging branches sheltered him from the drizzle. This is more like it, he

sighed. Harrys chanting carried to him on the wind.

Plip, plop.

Jo rocked a little to the left, a little to the right; until he rocked himself right

to sleep.

Plip, plop, plip plop, sang the rain.

* * *


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Achoo! A warm breeze rustled the leaves around Josiah Jumper as he

snoozed in the shade. It tickled his nose.

Achoo! Jo sneezed and peaked out from under the leaves. Bright yellow

sunshine streaked in through the tangle of overhead branches swaying in the

breeze. He glanced up at the sky now filled with a few lingering clouds drifting

farther and farther apart.

Yeah! Jo cheered. The rain is gone. The happy frog shook off the

leaves and stretched. He gazed out over the surface of the calm water, no more

plipping and plopping to disturb its smooth surface.

Plopsploosh!

Aaaack! A damp swaying branch sent cold beads of water down Jos

back. He shivered and hopped out into the sunshine.Ive had just about enough! Jo whined. He wiped at his eyes sending a

little shower of water down his nose.

Achoo!

I believe you be needin a hat.

Jo looked around startled. Hello? Hello? Where are you? he asked.

Behind ya, to be sure. The strange voice answered. Jo turned and saw

an odd sight. A small green frog sat in the sand wearing a most peculiar hat.

Oh Jo paused. Who are you?

Im Phibian, Phibian OMuddy.

PhibPhib-o-mud what? Josiah giggled with embarrassment.

The little frog smiled. Call me Ian.

Hello, Ian. Im Josiah. You can call me Jo.

Good to meet yer, Jo. Ian nodded and touched the brim of his funny

green hat. Not a fan of the rain, are yer?

It plops in my eyes! Jo eyed Ians hat. What is that on your head?A beret. Ian cocked his head. Keeps the rain off, it does.

Sweet hat! Tiny Tadpole Titus popped up out of the water. Hi! Im

Titus. Who are you?

Im Phibian OMuddy.

Phib-in-the-muddy? Titus mumbled


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Ian smiled. Call me Ian. A wee snapper, you are.

Weesnapper? Whats a weesnapper? Titus looked sideways at Josiah.

Jo bit his lip and shrugged.

Titus glared at the strange green frog. Are you calling me names?

Ian took a step back and giggled. I wouldnt be doin that now would I,

wee one. Ian wrinkled his brow. It means yer a little one, it does.

You talk funny! Titus exclaimed

Josiah scowled at the baby bullfrog. Titus, thats rude.

Its alright. Ian laughed and patted Titus on the head. My family comes

from far away.

I guess! How did you get here? Titus asked.

Grand Dad came on a big boat, with a boy, he did. The little frogexplained.

In a boat? Cool! What kind of boat?

Josiah poked at the curious tadpole. You ask too many questions. Leave

Ian alone.

Ian just smiled. Yer wantin to hear the whole story, wee snapper, are yer?

I sure do! Titus squatted next to Ian in the shallows. Tell me, tell me!

Was a grand boat. He paused as the little tadpole looked puzzled again.

Very big. He continued. They came from a far isle surrounded by a great sea.

Sea? Whats a sea? Titus asked.

Its like a big pond. Ian looked out over the water. Bigger than Pinion

Hollow Pond, it was. The water stretched from where the sun rises to where it

goes down.

No way! Josiah huffed. No pond is that big.

Grand Dad said they traveled for days and days and never saw the shore!

Ian argued. His boy would stand at the rail of the boat with him. They saw thesun sink right into the water, they did!

Wow! Thats awesome. Titus exclaimed.

I dont believe it. The doubting bullfrog shrugged his shoulders. How

do you know thats true.

Grand Dad wouldnt be lyin now would he?


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Well, unless I can see some proof, I wont believe it. Sounds like a fairy

tale to me. Jo said.

Does not! Titus stomped his foot.

Does too! Jo answered.

Does not! Titus hopped up and down. Does not. Does not! he cried.

Hey, little bro, whats all the fuss about? Harry E. Plopper, hearing the

noise, swam over to the rowdy trio.

Jo doesnt believe in Phibians sea! Titus whined.

Whats a Phibian? Harry asked.

Im Phibian, I am. Ian peaked out from behind Josiah.

Hey, cool hat! Harry exclaimed. Im Harry.

Its a beret. Jo said rolling his eyes.Good meetin yer Arry. Ian replied.

Titus giggled. He talks funny. A boy brought his grandpa here in a big

boat. There was so much water the sun sank right into the sea.

Did not. Jo scowled at the tadpole.

Did so! Titus squealed.

Puzzled, Harry looked at Ian. Ian shrugged. Aye, so it did.

Humph! Jo crossed his arms and turned away. I dont believe it, Harry.

Does sound strange. Harry agreed. Have you seen this great sea, Ian?

I wouldnt be seeing it, now would I? But Grand Dad saw it with his very

own eyes.

Well, if I cant see it, I wont believe it. Jo looked at Harry.

Harry scratched his head. Maybe we should ask Professor Puddles. What

do you think, Jo?

Ok, by me. Jo shrugged.

Me to, me to! Titus chanted.Lead on, wee snapper, Ian laughed. Were bein right behind yer.

Titus headed off into the tall green reeds followed by Harry and Phibian

OMuddy. Reluctantly, Jo hopped in behind.

Well see, He huffed. Well see.


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Glistening in the sunlight, the dewy leaves and wet branches dripped

little diamond drops on the three frogs. Ian bumped into a water-laden cat-

tail and sent a waterfall of cold liquid down Josiahs back - sploosh!

Ackack! Jo hopped sideways shaking off his back legs in frus-

tration.

For a frog you sure dont like water much, Harry said with a smirk.

I love water. Jo flicked a wet webbed toe at Harry and Ian, but the

drops landed harmlessly on Ians tipped hat. Jo frowned. I just dont like

being bombarded with it!

Ian started to giggle.

Stop laughing at me! Jo stomped a back foot and scowled.

Not laughingat you Ian giggled again. Stop, wee one, thattickles.

Titus was pulling on Ians arm. Were here. Were here. The

excited tadpole glanced around toward a stone covered embankment and

called out, Professor Puddles? Professor?

The frogs sat quietly and listened to the plip plopping of the wet

leaves.

Professor? Titus repeated.

Plip, plop, plip, plop, sang the leaves, but there was no answer

from the professor. The stones were deserted.

Ian tipped his beret down over his disappointed eyes. Was really

lookin forward to meetin the Professor, I was.

Dont worry, Ian. Titus replied. Well find him.

Hello? Anyone there? Hello?

Josiah turned toward a soft voice coming from the wet bushes.

Mom, is that you? he askedMother Jumper peaked out at them from between the plants. Oh,

hello, Jo. I thought I heard voices. She smiled at Ian. And who is your

new friend?

Ian tipped his green beret and returned her smile. Im Phibian

OMuddy, maam.


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Phibian? Phibian OMuddy Mother Jumper looked at the strange

little frog. Why does that sound so familiar? Well...its nice to meet you.

Please call me Ian. Pretty hat you have. He said.

Why thank you, Ian. She patted the brim of her straw hat. I dont

think Ive ever seen a hat like yours before.

Its a beret! Titus exclaimed. Its from an island in a great sea!

Josiah rolled his eyes. Yeah, right, he croaked.

Grand Dad OMuddy traveled in a big boat. The tadpole stretched

out his tiny arms. He came with a boy! They didnt see shore for days

and days.

How exciting! I do believe I have heard of something like that. She

said.Jo smirked at Titus. But do you know anyone whose actually seen

it, Mom? he asked.

Well, no dear.

See! Jo jabbed Titus with an elbow.

Josiah Jumper! his mother reprimanded. That was rude. Just

because you cant see something doesnt mean it is not there.

Im sorry. Jo blushed. But I just cant believe it.

Mother Jumper gave Jos shoulder a soft squeeze and asked, Can

you see that I love you?

Well, not exactly

Hah! Titus exclaimed.

A cool breeze rustled through the trees. Mother Jumpers hat

wobbled and she reached up to steady it. She glanced up at the swaying

branches. Can you see the wind?

Jo blinked. No, but I can feel it. He pointed at her hat now sittingcrookedly on her small green head. I can see what it does. If this sea is so

great it must do something!

Maybe were too far away. Ian shrugged. But I believe Grand

Dad, I do.


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And so you should, Ian. Mother Jumper answered. Sometime you

have to see with your heart.

I do, I do. Tadpole Titus clapped his small webbed toes together.

I dont understand. Jo scoffed. I need proof!

And I think you shall have it, Josiah Jumper. A deep voice rumbled

behind them. Jo flinched and glanced around.

Professor Puddles! Its the Professor! Titus cheered and pulled Ian

forward. Professor meet our new friend, Phibo..Phibeee..mud or

something.

Im Phibian, O Muddy, sir. Ian laughed at the flustered tadpole

and patted his head.

Hmm...that sounds familiar. Have we met before? The old bullfrogasked.

Dont think so, sir, Ian replied.

Why does everyone keep saying that? Jo whined.

Phibian? AhPhibian, I understand. Professor Puddles nodded

his head and laughed. Im pleased to meet you, Phibian. I like the beret,

very dashing.

Why thank you, sir. Ian tipped the hat and Titus giggled.

Oh, please Jo moaned. Hey, what about my proof, Professor?

The evening was growing cooler and a light breeze now whisked the

chilly air in and around the cattails. Wise old Professor Puddles gazed out

across pinion Hollow Pond. He raised one wet webbed toe in the air and

nodded. Yes, Jo, early tomorrow morning you should have your proof.

Wow! Titus looked up at the professor in awe.

How can you know that? Jo asked doubtfully.

What did you say to your mother about the wind, Jo? The old frogasked.

Ummthat I can see what it does? Jo shrugged.

And what of the Creator, can you see Him?

Noooo Jo paused.

Does He love us? Professor Puddles continued.


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Of course he does! Jo said.

You cant see him, yet you know He loves you?

I can see what He does for us! Jo huffed. Look at our pond, and

the cool water, and the trees, and cattails, andandbugs, and fish

And family and friends, said Mother.

Yeah! And everything! But its so obvious!

Do you trust Him, Jo? Puddles asked.

Sure. Jo shrugged. He takes care of us.

Do you trust me?

Jos eyes grew big. Of course I do, Professor! You are very old

ummI mean wise.

The old bullfrog laughed. Then you must have faith. You see theCreator and His love with your heart first. Then you can see all the won-

derful things He does for you with your eyes. Trust me, Josiah. Tomorrow

morning the Creator will show you proof of that great sea.

Not you? Josiah said with a puzzled expression.

I think He has a lesson prepared for all of us. Can you be here at

dawn? The professor glanced around at the group.

Mom? Jo asked.

Of course, Jo. Im coming with you! Mother replied. Harry was

nodding vigorously as well.

Sunrise sounds good, it does! Ian adjusted his hat and looked down

at Titus. You too wee snapper?

You bet! The tadpole hopped back and forth between the older

bullfrogs. This is so exciting!

* * *


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That night, the frogs loving Creator sent a cold chill across Pinion

Hollow. It cooled the night air and early in the morning, just as the last of

the twinkling stars hid behind the rising sun, an ivory mist began to form

over the quiet pond. Huddled together against the rocky shore, Professor

Puddles, Harry, Jo, Titus, Mother Jumper, and Phibian OMuddy watched

in awe as silvery tendrils swirled across the top of the water. The mist, as

soft and light as cattail fuzz, hovered around them. It settled among the

cattails and reeds, hung on the tree branches, and blurred the shoreline.

Pinion Hollow lay enveloped in a soft milky cloud.

What is it? Tadpole Titus whispered.

Its a cloud, silly, Harry said.

But clouds are in the sky. Titus scratched his head.Not always. Professor Puddles looked at Josiah. Can you tell

Titus what a cloud is , Jo?

Ummwater coming our of the air? Jo squinted. Sometimes

you cant see it. Sometimes theres too much in the air and it shows up as

clouds. Is that condensation?

The professor nodded. When its very hot and the pond gets lower

and lower, do you know where the water goes?

I know, I know. Titus raised his tiny arm. It disappears into the

air. Thats how it gets up there.

The wise old bullfrog laughed. Thats right. And when the air gets

cold, the water comes back out again. After the rain yesterday, the sun

came out and it was very warm. Water from the pond, wet grass and trees

evaporated into the air. But then, early this morning it got very cold.

And so our little pond made this misty cloud. Harry looked at his

doubting friend. I think I understand. Jo hates this time of year.Needs a hat, he does. Ian said with a laugh.

Why is that, Jo? Asked Professor Puddles.

The rains are coming! Jo whined. Big black clouds, storms,

thunder, sometimes it rains for days and days.


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So thats where all the rain comes from! Titus gazed out over the

pond. Wow! The Creator really is awesome.

To be sure! Titus exclaimed.

I dont get it. Jo watched the mist now slowly fading in the

sunlight. Our pond just made a little cloud. This cant be where all the

rain comes from. He paused and glanced at Professor Puddles. OH!

Jos eyes got big and round.

Storms are coming, Jo, said the professor.

With great black clouds, Harry continued

It can rain for days and days, it can, Titus added.

How great must Phibians Sea be to make all our summer storms,

and winter snow and spring rains. Mother jumper whispered, lightly pat-ting Jo on the shoulder.

Awesome! He replied.

Wise Professor Puddles nodded his old head. How great a Creator

to make it so.

To be sure, to be sure. Phibian OMuddy agreed.

The End

For more information on Fortuntate Frog Publications

E-mail Lisa Alvir at:

[email protected]


20/21

Condensation

Evaporation

Precipitation

The Water (Hydrologic) Cycle

The Water or Hydrologic cycle has no starting point just like a circle.

But lets begin with Phibians Sea since that is what our book is about. Have you

guessed that Phibians sea is really the Atlantic Ocean? Most of earths water is

stored in the oceans, and then in lakes, rivers, streams, and snow. The sun heats the

stored water and it evaporates as vapor into the air. Warm air currents take it higher

and higher into theatmosphere where the air temperature is cooler. The cooler air

causes the water vapor to condense back into liquidand then we can see it as clouds.

This is calledcondensation. Eventually, the clouds get heavier and heavier with

water, dust and other small particles. Soon the clouds release the water asprecipita-

tion, or rain, snow, and hail. The precipitation falls to earth where it accumulates in

streams, lakes, rivers, and finally the oceans. Then what happens to the stored

water? The sun heats it back up again! And the cycle starts all over, just like a circle.

Run-off, collection, and storage


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Definitions

collection: to gather into one place

atmosphere: thin layer of gases that surrounds the earth

condensation: process by which a gas transforms into its liquid state, often

by cooling

evaporation: the process by which a liquid transforms into its gaseous form,

often by heating

precipitation: release of liquid water from the air, falling to earth as rain,

hail, sleet or snow

run off: the flowing of water along the earths surface

vapor: the gas form of water

harry e plopper and the tale of phibian's sea

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