Part Two: The frog

Pollywog Woes

Timothy O’Leary, the leprechaun-cobbler, dwelt in a passageway under a castle, in Killarney.

“Who are you?” he asked the frog, who suddenly appeared in his doorway.

“You’re a leprechaun,” replied the frog.

“Of course,” replied Timothy. “I am proud of it, too. I come from a long line of respectable leprechauns, who fix shoes for living. We do magic too, just for fun.”

“You are not very tall.”

”Leprechauns are not supposed to be tall.”

“You fixed Kelly’s shoes,” said the frog. “Maybe you can help me too?”

“How can I help you?”  

Timothy wiped his hands on his cobbler’s apron, as he peered at the frog, through his gold spectacles.  

“You gave Kelly three gold coins, so she could have three wishes fulfilled. I was sitting on a lily pad when Kelly made her first wish. She wished for a prince but unfortunately, I have been in frog mode forever. What must I do?”

“Those mischievous leprechauns got you, did they?” asked Timothy. “When I’m not fixing shoes, I’m repairing the damage they have done. They’re a bad bunch of leprechauns and should not be called leprechauns, at all.” 

“I was young,” the frog said, apologetically. “Sorry to trouble you with my pollywog woes.”  

“Undoing evil is not easy. It is always better to try to prevent it. Unfortunately, there have always been those who do evil to others, while the rest of us try to do good for everyone. It gives all of us a bad name.”

“Can you restore me?”

“I can try but I cannot guarantee you will be the same age. How many years has it been?”

“It’s been five years.”

“That would make you a year or so, older than Kelly.”

“You could do it?”

“Only if you agree to always do what is good. I never reward evil. No one should ever reward evil doers.”

“Is that all?”

“Always speak well of leprechauns.” Timothy replied. “Be ready for a change in your life. Go back to your pond and sit on a rock in a princely manner.”