Frog and Toad All Year

Arnold Lobel and James Marshall were both drawn to one word--"surprise."

These men were fond of situational irony, and of course a "surprise" plot lends itself to irony. When you imagine you're going to surprise someone, often God will twist events in odd ways, so that *you yourself* are surprised.

In Lobel's great story, "The Surprise," Frog imagines he'll (covertly) pamper Toad. He'll rake the leaves in Toad's yard. At the same time, Toad plans to perform a similar secret act for Frog. But God delivers the *actual* surprise: Wind ruins both amphibians' work, and the amphibians go to sleep in blissful ignorance, just knowing they have performed a loving act.

Years later, James Marshall responded with "The Surprise (Hippo Version)." Here, George squirts cold water on Martha; he thinks that this trick is delightful and fun. But Martha retaliates with a full month of silence. It's only the falling of technicolor leaves that begins to thaw Martha's heart (since autumn leaves are one of George's favorite things). The two hippos resume speaking--and, months later, Martha prepares an ambush. She will drench George with her own hose. It's really *George* who is getting the big surprise.

As usual, Marshall is just a bit more "wicked" than Lobel. And Marshall's falling leaves seem to be a little tribute to his fellow-writer and friend.

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