Both. I like to mix things up a bit.

Daddy tell me a bedtime story

Now what was that, Daddy came in gave and order then he disappeared.
OH YEAh thats right, Mr. Jones is working tonight.

Daddy's such a HO

Now girls

story I want a story

This is the tale of Ferdinand Frog
And Samuel the slippery snake
Ferdinand lived on a lily leaf
Near the bank of Happiness Lake
He sang all day in the sunshine
And he croaked in the light of the moon
To a discerning ear, a horrible sound
To a frog - a wonderful tune.

He mostly sang of a lady frog
Who lived on a bank nearby
Her name was Felicity Fogmore-Frog
The apple of Ferdinand's eye
When she came into view
his heart skipped a beat
(Which is strange 'cos frogs usually jump)
And the sound of her name made his little legs leap
And his throat developed a lump.

He thought she wasn't even aware
Of the feelings that he had
She'd swim by his leaf with her nose in the air
Making Ferdinand feel very sad
Oh how he wished he could just let her know
Of the love that he held in his heart
Perhaps he could let it all out in a song - though
He wasn't quite sure where to start!

One day his friend Wrinkleskin Rat came around
For a chat and a quick cup of tea
He often popped in on a weekend
Usually Saturday, just before three
But this day he had some rather bad news
Though he hoped not to cause any grief
But when Ferdinand heard what the rat had to say
Well, he very near fell off his leaf.

Wrinkleskin said, and he felt it was true
That rumour 'round Happiness lake
Was Felicity Frog was being pursued
By Samuel, the Slippery Snake
Apparently Samuel had been to see
Mrs Frogmore, Felicity's mother
And promised his heart to Felicity
Forever forsaking all others.

But it seems that her Mum was extremely displeased
And put Slippery Sam in his place
And Felicity's Father turned purple with rage
And insulted the snake to his face
Well, Slippery Sam slithered away to his nest
Licking his wounds and his pride
(Snakes tongues are incredibly useful for this
As they lick not just one but both sides).

Felicity Fogmore was hiding away
(She hated the slippery snake)
She actually loved this frog that she'd seen
On a leaf near the edge of the lake
She swam past his leaf nearly every day
But as yet he'd not spoken to her
But she was saving her love for him
Not for Slippery Sam that's for sure.

As Slippery Sam left the Fogmore's home
He vowed to Felicity's Dad
That one day Felicity would be his own
This snake certainly was bad
He just didn't care who he hurt in his life
Beware those who stood in his way
Felicity Fogmore would soon be his wife
If the snake had his wicked way

But Ferdinand had other plans for him
When he heard what the reptile had vowed
He looked at his best friend Wrinkleskin
And said "This must not be allowed
The problem is what can I do?
A frog is no match for a snake
A frog's got to do what a frog's got to do
But I don't know what action to take!"

Wrinkleskin thought and furrowed his brow
(that's how he got his name)
"Perhaps we should go and see the Osmiroid Owl
Who lives down Thinkalot Lane
He's very old and very wise
And I'm sure that he'll know what to do
It's said that by just gazing into his eyes
The answer to all will shine through."

So Ferdinand Frog and Wrinkleskin Rat
Climbed the bank of Happiness Lake
As they got to the top they turned and looked back
And pondered on what was at stake
The future, the peace and tranquility
That gave Happiness Lake it's name
His love for life and Felicity
Would ever they be the same?

The stars were just kissing the daytime goodbye
As the Frog and the Rat set away
Their journey would take them through 'Many-a-Mile'
Though they hoped to arrive the next day
'Many-a-Mile' is the name of the wood
Where Osmiroid Owl can be found
He sits at the top of the tallest tree
Sees all, and hears every sound.

So Ferdinand hopped and Wrinkleskin scampered
Through darkness to light of the day
Though often they wanted to stop and rest
They knew they shouldn't delay
Each moment that passed Slippery Sam
Would be planning his evil attack
They needed the wisdom of Osmiroid Owl
So forward, and never look back.

As the glow of the sun made the morning smile
They hurried forward and on
'Til they saw the trees of 'Many-a-Mile'
And heard the sweet sound of it's song
The song of the birds and the wind in the trees
Gave 'Many-a-Mile' it's own sound
But as the pair set foot in the wood
They knew there was danger around.

If someone enters 'Many-a-Mile'
As first they set foot in the wood
Osmiroid Owl is aware that they're there
And whether they're bad or they're good
He knows all that happpens within his domain
Those who return, and those who remain
He immediately knew of the Frog and the Rat
He even knew both of their names.

As the pair travelled deeper into the wood
The day grew darker than night
The trees seemed to whisper "beware,beware"
And Wrinkleskin trembled with fright
And though Ferdinand's heart beat violently
He knew that he had to be brave
His thoughts turned to lovely Felicity
And the love he determined to save.

The wood had grown silent, but suddenly
They both heard a hissing sound
Then another behind, and another in front
And they knew there were snakes all around
The news of their mission had spread far and wide
And when Slippery Sam had heard
He'd sent out a message to all his snake friends
Stop the Frog and the Rat was the word.

As the snakes slithered nearer the Frog and the Rat
Were frozen with fright and with fear.
Then instantly hundreds of lights filled the air
And the darkness started to clear
Ferdinand couldn't believe his eyes
Tiny lights dancing there, jumping here
And the tails of the snakes as they slithered away
In a minute they'd all disappeared.

Slowly the lights one by one flickered out
'till just three or four glowed nearby
And Ferdinand gazed at their colour and beauty
And remembered from ages gone by
How his Mother had told him when he was no more
Than a tadpole in Happiness Lake
How the spirits of nature, some call them fairies
Protect those who evil forsake.

Then just as the last fairy light flickered out
The Frog felt his feet leave the ground
He hadn't just hopped, he was quite sure of that
Anyway - he still hadn't come down
He looked down below and there were the trees
Then a voice whispered gentle and kind
But not in his ears like a normal voice would
This voice was there inside his mind.

"Do not be afraid" it reassured him
"You are safe in the arms of a friend
Osmiroid sent me to look after you,
There's no cause to be frightened again
I'm Endroglen Eagle, King of the Sky
And friend of all those who seek good
I take you to Osmiroid, wisest of Owls
And eldest of all in the wood."

Ferdinand's heart beat loudly with pride
As they glided with ease through the sky
Held fast by one claw he glanced to the side
couldn't believe his eyes
Wrinkleskin Rat was right beside him,
Held safely by Endroglen
His eyes were shut tight for he didn't like heights
His wrinkles swept back by the wind.

Wrinkleskin opened one eye and he smiled
For he had heard Endroglen too
Then he gazed down below on 'Many-a-Mile'
To a Rat an amazing view
And there like a pencil line drawn through the trees

Thinkalot Lane could be seen
With one tree that towered o'er the rest of the wood
Here was Osmiroid's home, 'Evergreen'.

Endroglen slowly circled the tree
Then he gently loosened his grasp
The Frog and the Rat dropped safely down
To a platform of feathers and grass
And there to greet them a beautiful Owl
With feathers of purest white
And eyes of the deepest blue in the sea
And an aura of shimmering light.

Again the sound of a voice filled their minds
A strong voice yet gentle and clear
"My name is Starlight the Messenger
And I will watch over you here
You are safe in the house of Osmiroid
And soon with him you shall speak
The wisest of Owls shall guide your path
And point to the wisdom you seek."

"But first you must freshen your spirits,
And cleanse your bodies and minds
The hours are many since last you slept
So now, leave your journey behind"
So there on the platform of feathers and grass
The pair lay softly to rest
The toil of their journey slipped quickly away
In the purple of sub-consciousness.

Deep in his sleep state Ferdinand dreamed
That he and Wrinkleskin both
Dined and drank to their hearts content
All the things.that Frogs and Rats love
He dreamed that they swam in a beautiful pool
Where the water was shimmering blue
And when he jumped out, all his fears and his doubts
Were gone, there was love shining through

And he dreamed that Starlight the Messenger
Took him inside 'Evergreen'
In the trunk of the tree the most beautiful glow
Of colours that he'd never seen
And on Starlight's back he flew up and up
'Til he thought that they may never stop
He couldn't work out how outside the tree
He appeared to have been at the top.

And as they flew higher the dream became brighter
And brighter, too bright for his eyes
'Til with eyes shut tightly Ferdinand found
He could see - yet he wasn't surprised.
For here in his dream nothing surprised him
Everything seemed to be right
And suddenly Osmiroid Owl was before him
All knowing, the source of the light.

Once more he could hear a voice in his mind
This time he heard Osmiroid speak
"Wise is the Frog who looks to a master
For help in the path that he seeks
But wiser still is the creature who looks
For the wisdom that's hidden within
For there is the answer to all of lifes problems,
Where our seeking should end and begin."

"Go forward Ferdinand, back to your home
Return to the future you make
Face Slippery Sam in a way of your own
This is how you'll defeat such a snake
When you look in the eyes of the bravest Frog
Who exists in the whole of the land
The strength that you need to beat Slippery Sam
Will be there at your command."

Osmiroid stood in a glow of gold
And slowly, like mist, he was gone
In Ferdinand's mind the last words he heard
Like the sound of a wonderous song
"Love is the answer, love is the way
Love is your reason to live
Love is the purpose for which we exist
Love is measured by how much we give."

Then to Ferdinand's dream came Endroglen
Who carried him high in the air
The clouds were below and the stars were above
And his world was waiting somewhere
Then just as he thought of Felicity
With a start he was wide, wide awake
And sitting alone on a Silly leaf
By the bank of Happiness Lake.

The sun was just rising, he looked all around
On the bank there was Wrinkleskin
Wrinkleskin said "Hey, Ferdinand
I've had this incredible dream
I dreamed that we journeyed to Thinkalot Lane"
But Wrinkleskin stopped as he spoke
For Slippery Sam had slid up on him
And with one move had bitten his throat.

Confusion and fear filled Ferdinand's mind
But he leapt without thought for the shore
His love for his friend pushed his terror behind
And he thought of the danger no more
He was no match for Sam as the battle began
The snake coiled around Ferdinand
As the breath left his body he remembered the dream,
Could this be the way it's all planned?

Love, think of love he said to himself.
He thought of Felicity
But the strength wasn't there, his life force was fading
Where could the answer be?
As the snake gripped him tighter he rolled to the bank
On the edge he gazed into the lake
He saw his reflection, looked into his eyes
And at once knew the moves he should make.

Deep within himself lay the strength that he needed
There with the love in his soul
He knew what to do to beat Slippery Sam
Just as the Owl had foretold
He rolled off the bank and in to the water
Taking the Snake down with him.
He held fast to Sam, deeper and deeper
He knew that Sam couldn't swim.

But unlike a Frog who can breath underwater
Sam couldn't survive in the lake
He wouldn't let go 'til the Snake had stopped wriggling
He couldn't afford one mistake
As he climbed to the shore the Snake was no more
And a smile lit up Ferdinand
He knew that his dream was far more than it seemed
Bravest Frog in the whole of the land.

Ferdinand hopped straight to Wrinkleskin
Who lay very still on the bank
A tear trickled down the little frogs face,
As he cradled his friend his heart sank
There was barely a movement in Wrinkleskin's chest
The Frog didn't know nvhat to do
But just then a vision came into his mind
The pool of shimmering blue

He pictured himself and Wrinkleskin
In the pool as they were in his dream
The blue light surrounding both of them
The water so pure and so clean
And as he looked down at his friend in his arms
A blue glow surrounded the pair
The rat's wounds were gone and his eyes twinkled brightly
Then again, Starlight's voice filled the air.

"Your love for your friend has saved him
You have healed with the power of your mind
You have passed every trial set before you
Now the love that you seek you will find
The power of the mind is wonderous
And the power of love unsurpassed
You have proved yourself well Ferdinand Frog
Your reward is the love that you ask.

We will see you again Ferdinand
More adventures are waiting for you
So remember the lessons that you have learned
Both you and Wrinkleskin too
No prayer that you pray will be wasted
No wish that you make, unheard
Each thought that you think - we listen.
To the good, and the bad, every word."

As the voice of Starlight faded
The morning sun climbed in the sky
Ferdinand looked at Wrinkleskin
Tears of happiness filled their eyes
They had both grown in mind and in spirit
While defeating the Slippery Snake
Now life could never be quite the same
For those at Happiness Lake.

They still tell the tale of Ferdinand Frog
Who married Felicity
Of Wrinkleskin Rat, their very good friend
Who used to pop in for tea
Of how love conquered all at Happiness Lake
Of how love meant the end for a slippery snake
Of the hundreds of tadpoles their true love did make
How the love that you give
Is equal -
To the love -
You make.

The End

oooo perttty

but whats it mean?

Love is a miracle baby. The more you give, the more you have.

This is true.. wish more people understood that concept..

Someday they will little one, someday they will.

WOW
Thank you daddy, That was the most beautiful bedtime story I ever heard. (((((((Hugs))))))))) love you.

Love you too, little darlin.

Don`t you know that you will go blind doing that?

But Mom, I already wear glasses.

so do you have hairy palms too?

yes and we didnt have to listen to the pea girl in a dress whine during it <snicker>

Kids, I think I hear the Ice Cream Man!

I HEARD THAT NEW SISTER!!

YOU NEED TO STOP TALKING CHIT BEHIND MY BACK!!

I GUESS YOUR JUST 2 FACED!!

YOUR ALL NICE TO ME, TILL I GO SOMEWHERE!!


A poem for Daddy-

Daddy that story was wonderful,
I wish I had children to tell it to,
but for now its just for the people who read,
the threads on Mingle 2.
And for sharing it, I love you!

Sorry for yelling daddy,

but some people have no class.

My baby!

My daddy!