Fig Newton wanted to see the world from his boat. He didn’t know what that meant and he didn’t care. Let someone else fret the details, he thought – my business is to get the boat in the water and let the river carry me where it will.
This abandonment to the water gave him plenty of time for thinking. He missed his friend Lucy and decided to name his boat “The Lucky Lucy” in her honor. Having taken care of that order of business, his froggy thoughts moved toward the adventure before him. Questions floated by, some drifting lazily, others as if propelled by strong currents. He made a list.
1. How will I know when it’s time to turn back toward home? This question surprised him. He hadn’t realized that having a place called “home” to which he could return was an important part of the journey. He dismissed this question momentarily. It’s not very practical to start out at the end.
2. How will I decide where to stop and explore? After all, he reasoned, if I never stop and take a pause, I might miss something important. Or someone important. Well, he thought, I will leave that in the hands of Providence. Fig was a firm believer that things happen for a Reason and that Someone Else was in charge. I’ll know when to stop, he thought.
3. What supplies should I pick up along the way? He thought maybe he should have a bucket in case The Lucky Lucy sprung a leak (may it never be!). An extra oar might be wise, as well. Another coil of rope could come in handy. He didn’t really need food, because he was going to eat what a frog eats and he thought he could find that anywhere.
4. Will I encounter danger of any kind? This thought gave him a thrill. He spent some time conjuring up in his mind various dangers that might assail him: bad weather, boat trouble, large fish, thieves, predators, unfriendlies of all sorts. He thought it best to be prepared for anything that might test his mettle. And he definitely wanted his mettle to be tested.
He circled back to Question 1 and spent some time on it. Eventually, he decided that he would make a list of 10 things that he wanted to see and/or experience before turning back. He’d do that soon. No need to rush. Some things are meant to be put off.
All this thinking made him hungry. He pulled his boat over to a round, flat stone off the river a ways. It was nice that his boat was so small and he was so strong. He felt a little puffed up about that. He did some hunting and found an assortment of tasty spiders and a few little butterflies for dessert. He sat by the boat supremely relaxed and closed his froggy eyes for a little rest. Ahh, this was the life.
“What have we here? A loud, deep voice woke him up.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I’ve been wanting to continue with Fig’s story, but like him, I found myself thinking “No need to rush. Some things are meant to be put off.” Eventually, he was insistent so here is the next installment. And just for fun, it ends on a cliff hanger!!!
I’ll probably delete this in the morning. No need to rush…
Lynniebeemuseoday 
Hey Lynnie! So great to read the next installment of Fig’s grand adventures! For whatever reason, I feel a sense of kinship with Fig and his river-worthy boat. But with your cliff-hanger I am left high and dry wondering what in the world is going to befall my adventurous little friend..! Well, let me tell you Girlie, that some things are NOT meant to be put off..! My imagination will be all a-flutter until Fig’s fate is revealed. And being left in a state of “all a-flutter-ness” could easily evolve to being “in-a-tizzy”… Have mercy, I implore!
– Fig’s friend and yours, Teresa
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I wrote it for you!!
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“Eventually, he decided that he would make a list of 10 things that he wanted to see and/or experience before turning back.” Sounds like a “bucket list” to me. Revisiting Question 3a: Does Fig need a bucket if he already has a bucket list?
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Ha ha!
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