These are Exercises from Section One — Calling the Frogs Back.

In this section are exercises used to develop some of the major themes developed for Calling the Frogs Back; Sense of Place, Mutuality, Elements, Endangered and Who Tapped the Frogs In.

Everything in our Wilderness has a voice. The Heart of Nature is a character, Clear-cut, the Wild Place—all have voices. Below each exercise are some of the writings done by the students.

VISUALIZE:
Entering the frog's world we step into the thick of wilderness. There is a special place called "No One's Place" in the light, the clearing ahead of us and we can feel its textures, sounds and moods. Wild or serene, it draws us to the center of the forest, to the wild place as if it were a creature with size and substance of its own. What is this place like for you, what lies at its center? Just how wild is wild and how can wild get tame? Can something be tame and still be wild?

Recipe for a Forest
by Laura Wilson
age 15

Earth richest, darkest

Water,
pure,
clear

Air, wind
the breath

Fire, heat
of the sun

Forest in flora
Leaves,
lots of leaves,
seeds, trees,
small vines, ferns,
leaves

Fauna, deer, birds,
rabbits, bugs, quail, frogs,
more bugs
something big
a flash of tawny fur

Age for 300 years
and treasure.

Sense of Place
by Thea Carlson
age 11

A tangled mass of loveliness
moss, ivy, bush
every color
green, more green
everything green
light shining through the
thick canopy of leaves
at times loud
other times
very, very, quiet.

The Wild Place
by Blair Frandeen
age 10

Let the sun rise and shine
yes rise and shine
Let the fish splash in the water and play
yes splash and play
Let the roots of the tree tread as long
and as far as it wants
yes as long and far as it wants

(Please do not use these pieces without permission)