Federico, the Toad

El sapito Federico:

Once upon a time, long time ago , lived a toad  that was called Federico.

Federico was well known for all places, since always traveling alone, accompanied by his large straw hat. I never ate insects nor was seen swimming by rivers or ponds. His only distraction was walking and walking around the woods and trails singing his famous song:

"Federico  is very alone that their tastes are different and it is not like the others .My conditioned power is, to find a berry that I feed"


All the animals of the forest looked puzzled at toad Federico, which they considered very eccentric and anything conventional. It was very strange that not be devoted to hunting flies and mosquitoes like the rest of toads and that would have never you stuck in the water.

One day as Federico walked ran it into a joyful butterfly. The butterfly is stared missed and finally dared to ask him:

-Federico, Federico because always walk alone? Do not to swim as the rest of your mates?-wonder cute Butterfly posing in Federico´s hat.

-Because you'll see dear butterfly. I walk because I don't like to swim - Federico said.

- But this is very strange. All the toads like the water - said the butterfly fluttering on his head.

-Yes, it is true, but I am different. One day someone told me that I was not like the other toads, that my legs were not strong or vigorous enough to be able to swim. He told me that if someday I dare to get into the pond, surely he would die-drowning - said the frog. So I decided that never again would return to swimming. Now I have accustomed to the mainland and up like walk - said Federico.

And having said that went his way until he suddenly found himself in front of a fawn who asked him sweetly.

-Federico, Federico.  Why always do you walk with that hat?-said the fawn looking huge hat that Frederick was wearing on top of his head.

-Because you'll see small fawn. One day someone told me that my skin was not like the other toads. He said me that my skin it was very fragile and that it ran the risk of burning if exposed too long to the sun. So I decided to always wear this great hat to protect me from the danger of Sun's rays - answered very convinced Frederick.

And then he continued his way singing and singing its curious song. He stopped a few minutes to rest and began to feed on small berries found along the way. At that time was approached by a small squirrel, and looking at him strangely asked:

-Federico, Federico  . How you don't eat insects like the other toads?


-Because you'll see small squirrel.  One day someone told me that I was not like the rest of the toads that my tongue was not long enough to reach to the flies and mosquitoes. So I decided to not return to hunt more insects and started to feed me the small fruits or berries that I am by the way - in detail explained Federico.

And having said this he continued his way. Suddenly arose an awful whirlwind and Federico´s hat went flying through the air. Federico ran and ran after him, crying and screaming for the fear to run out their sunscreen. As he ran he thought to himself:

Oh, poor me. I do now without my cute hat?-yelled Federico.

As he ran behind his huge hat, didn't realize that fell in a large pond full of precious water lilies and plants of colors.


Suddenly Federico delved into the lagoon. For the first time he noticed the lightness of water under his legs and without realizing just has started to swim and swim until finally gave scope to his big straw hat.


-Luckily I've managed to reach it - thought Federico.



Said that Federico began to realize that had been able to reach his hat because it had swum fast.

-Maybe if had not swum as fast..,. I never had reached it walking- said meditating Frederick himself.

And having said this came out of the lagoon and sat down to rest for a few minutes on a rock.

While he thoughts the experience and which had supposed for him return to swim , it did not realize that his hat returned again soar through the air due to the whirlwind that lashed  in the garden.

-Because I liked being able to move between the waters of this beautiful lagoon. Perhaps my legs were not as thin as did me believe, said Federico looking amazed their beautiful legs.

And having said this he went on his way. Suddenly he realized that walking without his enormous straw hat.Oh my God! Where has gone to my hat?-said Federico alarming again.


But after a pause could check that his skin remained pretty, smooth and now more brilliant than ever thanks to the fact of being dipped in the lagoon.


-So perhaps my skin needed water from lagoons to moisturize-thought Federico. It may not be as different as someone made me believe, said Federico.

So suddenly, Federico without thinking twice decided to continue their journey, but now would swimming.

He had realized that it was going more fat swimming by ponds that do not walking under the scorching sun. Besides this way I didn't need the help of any hat or anything external, since the same water served as you a protection.

While swimming is found with a small bird that had fallen from its nest and who fought with all his strength to get out of the water.

-Oh my God! You drown under water - exclaimed Federico. Don't worry little bird.

When he saw that instantly launched his long tongue in the direction of the small bird and did move him toward the beginning of the shore.

-Many thanks - said the bird looking amazed to Federico. Without the help of your strong language I would have drowned in the water inside.


Federico finished saying goodbye to the bird and continued his way surprised for the assistance that had been offered. He was very proud of if same and excited about the new things they had learned during their way.

-Well maybe my tongue wasn't as different as the rest of toads - said Federico.


Thus Federico went his way, swimming, enjoying the sun and reaching insects with his tongue as he would have never had to stop doing. He realized he felt so happy, happy, and free than before, swimming carefree unafraid to burn out or are not able to swim. It no longer needed caps or invented fears that cling. Its qualities were not different from those of the rest of toads.


Now Federico ´s song sounded happier than ever, since this if that came true inside:

"Look  Federico as swimming goes, free and carefree his song again sing, since no hats no fears will never return more to invade your cute sweetheart ever"


That was how Federico discovered that better than the experience of each one, which should not be  influenced nothing by the opinions of others which often tend to be wrong .

Y colorin , colorado este cuento se ha acabado.

By Mónica Zambrano . Los wikicuentos multiculturales.