The Frog That Became King

He took an oath beneath the chandelier palace, tongue lapping at furtive moth wings. A crown of collectible bottle caps balanced on his warty brow. Lilith bowed as he passed, her petals muttering oaths. Tadpoles formed a scepter’s ascendency, guiding his webbed ascent. In the court of cattails and reeds, he declared dominion over ripples. Bullfrogs drummed a royal cadence, while dragonflies danced in tribute. But power is an annoying fly, buzzing just beyond reach. A heron’s aperture loomed large, eyes shined with hunger. Final words stung in the chasm: “Long live the king.” Then muted, as the throne sank beneath the reeds.