The Frog in the Well

    By Storybird

    The Frog in the Well cover image

    26 Feb, 2024

    a frog sitting on a ledge in a hole with water and leaves surrounding it, with a light shining on the frog's face, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, rossdraws global illumination

    Once upon a time, there was a little frog named Frodo who lived at the bottom of a well. The world for Frodo was just the well, with its circular walls and a small patch of sky at the top.

    a frog sitting on a lily pad in a pond with lily pads around it and mountains in the background, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, highly detailed digital painting

    Frodo was curious, always wondering about what lay beyond the small patch of sky. He'd heard of lands filled with tall trees, wide rivers, and towering mountains from the birds who visited his well.

    a frog sitting on a rock in a forest with a waterfall and flowers around it, with a sunbeam in the background, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Andries Stock, storybook illustration

    One day, his curiosity got the better of him. He made up his mind to leave the well and explore the world beyond. With a determined leap, Frodo jumped out of the well and into the unknown.

    a frog sitting in the middle of a flower garden with a stone tunnel in the background that has daisies growing on it, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, storybook illustration

    Outside the well, Frodo was astounded by the vastness of the world. He saw green fields stretching out as far as his eyes could see, dotted with colourful flowers and buzzing insects.

    a frog sitting on a lily pad in a pond with lily pads around it and a fish swimming in the pond, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Andries Stock, highly detailed digital painting

    Frodo came upon a burbling stream. He jumped onto a floating leaf, using it as a boat to navigate through the water. He saw fish of different sizes and colours swimming below him.

    a frog sitting on a path in a forest with the sun shining through the trees behind it and a path leading to the forest, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Andries Stock, storybook illustration

    Frodo traveled through the day, and as the sun began to set, he found himself in a dense forest. The trees were so tall that they blocked out the sunlight, casting long shadows.

    two owls sitting on a branch in a forest with sunlight shining through the trees behind them and a forest floor, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Anne Stokes, official art

    In the forest, he met a wise old owl named Oliver. Oliver had travelled far and wide and knew a great deal about the world. Frodo listened to Oliver's stories with wide-eyed fascination.

    a white owl sitting on a rock in the night sky with a full moon in the background and mountains and flowers, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, highly detailed digital painting

    Oliver told Frodo about the mountains that touched the sky, about the vast deserts where sand dunes shifted with the wind, and about the deep oceans that held life unimaginable.

    a painting of an owl and a bird sitting on a branch in a forest at night with a lantern, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Dan Mumford, storybook illustration

    The more Frodo heard, the more he wanted to explore. But as the night set in, he realized he was far away from his well. He felt a pang of homesickness for the familiar comfort of his well.

    two owls sitting on a mossy patch in the woods with sunlight shining through the trees behind them and a path leading to them, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, magic the gathering artwork

    Sensing his longing, Oliver comforted him. "The world is vast and beautiful, but there's no place like home," said the wise owl. Frodo nodded, understanding the truth in Oliver's words.

    a painting of a white owl sitting on a branch in a forest with a stream running through it's center, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, magic the gathering artwork

    The following day, Frodo bid farewell to Oliver and began his journey back home. As he travelled, he saw the world with new eyes, appreciating the beauty around him.

    a frog sitting on a rock in a river with a mountain background and a stream running through it, with a sun setting behind the mountains, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, storybook illustration

    He saw the streams, forests, and fields not just as grand sights but as parts of his larger home - the world. Every leaf, every blade of grass, seemed familiar and yet wonderfully new.

    a frog sitting in front of a small waterfall in a stone tunnel with a waterfall coming out of it, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, storybook illustration

    As he neared his well, Frodo felt a sense of relief and anticipation. He looked forward to the familiar sight of the well's stone walls and the little patch of sky above.

    a frog sitting on a rock in a pond of water with lily pads surrounding it and a waterfall running through the center, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, magic the gathering artwork

    When he finally reached his well, he leaped into it with joy. He was home, but he was not the same frog who had left. He had seen the world, and it had changed him.

    a frog sitting on a rock in a forest with flowers and a stream of water in the background with a sunlit forest behind it, fantasy art, a digital painting, Andries Stock, magic the gathering artwork

    From then on, Frodo lived in his well but was no longer just a frog in a well. He was a frog with stories, a frog with experiences, a frog who knew the world beyond.

    a frog sitting on a mossy rock in a pond of water with lily pads around it and a tree trunk in the background, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, highly detailed digital painting

    Frodo's well was no longer a prison, but a home. He would gaze up at the patch of sky, not with longing, but with contentment and a sense of belonging.

    a frog sitting on a rock in a forest with flowers and a waterfall under a light source with a bright sun shining through the leaves, fantasy art, a digital painting, Chris LaBrooy, magic the gathering artwork

    The birds would visit, and Frodo would tell them of his adventures. His stories would fill the well with laughter and dreams, echoing up to the small patch of sky above.

    a boy sitting on a rock in a pond of water with lily pads around him and a light shining in the background, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Cliff Childs, official art

    And so, Frodo, the curious little frog in the well, lived his days filled with joy and contentment, carrying with him the wisdom of the world beyond his well.

    a frog sitting on a flowery field with a mountain in the background and a sun setting behind it, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, professional digital painting

    He understood that home is not just a place, but a feeling. And that the world is vast and beautiful, and it's there for everyone to explore and appreciate.

    a frog sitting on a lily pad in a pond with lily pads around it and a sunset in the background, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Andries Stock, highly detailed digital painting

    Frodo's story reminds us that curiosity leads to adventures and experiences that shape us. And no matter how far we go, the comfort of home is something we always carry in our hearts.