The Frog in the Box

A short story about a teacher in training and a motorbike frog.

By Mariah Hlatywayo

Photo by Kym VdP

Ever since I can remember, I’ve hated lizards and frogs. I don’t know if it’s to do with the way they look and or the way they move, but they creep me out. Despite this, I love dinosaurs. (I went to watch Jurassic World a few weeks ago- five stars!) There’s just something about the way they look, and how angry the carnivorous ones are in movies that I truly adore. My husband has pointed out on multiple occasions that Godzilla is just a giant lizard, but every time he says this I just change the subject.

However, I really do feel that God has a good sense of humour, because in 2019, while I was completing my final teaching prac, a frog got trapped inside the classroom next to mine.There I was on a Monday morning, preparing lessons for the week when my mentor teacher waltzed in, spread her hands and said “Change of plans! We’re going to be learning all about frogs this week!”

Yuck.

I was appalled to learn that a motorbike frog had jumped into the neighbouring year two classroom over the weekend and was now happily residing inside a box, as I googled, Motorbike frogs and supervised year two students, reading the information next door.

I watched in dismay as the classroom displays were soon  littered with diagrams of a frog’s life cycle, and it became my responsibility to lead reading groups with books full of huge froggy pictures for the next week. One enthusiastic student even brought in a tadpole in a jar for me to keep on my desk. I prayed the whole week that it would stay a tadpole and that its legs wouldn’t pop out. I was very glad to see it return home with her on Friday.

The real kicker came when my mentor brought the frog in to show the year two students. “Remember, it’s more scared of you than you are of it.”

Something about her tone made me feel like she was saying this for my benefit, more than for the year twos- who were very excited to see the frog as the box was passed around. I too attempted a peek, but all I could manage was the top of its black, slimy head, before I leaned backwards and decided that was enough for me. After all the students had seen the frog, my mentor told them that the frog was going to be taken back to the other class—finally!

“Mrs H, would you mind taking the frog back to the other classroom please?”

No thank you.

“Y-yes of course.”

Those five steps from my classroom to the next truly felt like the longest walk I have even taken in my life. As silly as it was to be afraid of a creature that could fit on a tablespoon, I knew that in that moment God would keep me safe, just as He had promised to never leave or forsake me in Deuteronomy 31:8. What’s the worst that the frog could do to me anyway? Jump on my face?

Thankfully, the frog just stayed inside the box. I handed it over to the other teacher and life went on.

Not only did I learn a lot about frogs through the whole experience, but I also learned a lot about God, namely that He is faithful in all forms of trials- big ones like overcoming insecurities as a new teacher and small ones like coming into contact with slimy amphibians. For all the years I have walked with Him, He has always faithfully protected me from harm and helped me to overcome my fears. He has helped me to conquer my fear of driving (and continues to keep others on the road safe from said driving) and has helped me to work through and overcome many other areas that I have been very anxious and insecure about. This often involves God leading me into situations in which I have no choice but to trust in Him. As I do this, He always comes through for me and leads me safely to the other side.  

Thankfully, I’ve never had to touch or catch a lizard at the high school where I currently work. Although if the unfortunate opportunity did ever arise, I know God will help me to stay calm and collected as I shoo it out of the room.

Enjoy this story? Sign up to get honest stories in your inbox for free on Wednesdays from local Christian women from March—November 👇🏻

Mariah Hlatywayo— Regular Contributor

Mariah Hlatywayo (lutch-why-oh) is a singer-songwriter and drummer from Perth, Western Australia. She grew up in a musical family and enjoys writing, singing and playing songs inspired by her  Christian faith and life experiences. When she is not making music, you can find her teaching music to teenagers, drinking coffee, and annoying Felicity – her fluffy rag-doll cat. Find more at mariahhlatywayo.com