On Christmas Eve Toad cooked a big dinner. He decorated the Christmas tree. Toad looked at his clock. The clock was broken.

“Frog is late,” said Toad.

Toad opened the door. He looked into the night. Frog was not there.

“I am worried,” said Toad. “What if something terrible happened? What if Frog fell into a deep hole and cannot get out? I will never see him again!”

Toad opened the door again. Frog was not there.

“What if Frog is lost in the woods?” said Toad. “What if he is cold and hungry? What if a big animal with big teeth ate Frog? My friend and I will never have another Christmas together!”

Toad found a rope.

“I will pull Frog out of the hole,” said Toad.

Toad found a lantern.

“Frog will see the light. I will show him the way out of the woods,” said Toad.

Toad found a bat.

“I will hit that big animal with the bat. All his big teeth will fall out. Frog, do not worry,” cried Toad. “I am coming to help you!”

Toad ran out of the house. There was Frog.

“Hello, Toad,” he said. “I am very sorry that I am late. I was looking for a present for you.”

“You did not fall in a deep hole?” asked Toad.

“No,” said Frog.

“You were not lost in the woods?” asked Toad.

“No,” said Frog.

“A big animal with big teeth did not eat you?” asked Toad.

“No,” said Frog. “I am so glad to spend Christmas with you!”

Toad opened his present from Frog. It was a beautiful new clock. The two friends sat by the fire. The clock now showed the hours of a merry Christmas Eve.