Lemondrop: The Beginning
Gerald Shuler
An evil giant has stolen a magical rainbow from the elves of Magicland. Now it is up to a brave frog to face the giant and get the rainbow back. A frog? Ah, my friend, Mr. Greencroak is no ordinary frog.

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book excerpt

“I hope you don’t mind, Koostan, but I wanted you to meet one of my truest and most trusted friends.” Mr. Greencroak pointed proudly toward the dragonfly. “Koostan, this is Diamondwing.” “Humph.” the elf grunted, “We WOULD have met yesterday . . . if he would have flown up and popped the bubble that imprisoned me.” “I’m sorry, Sir, so sorry.” Diamondwing squealed nervously. “Really, truly, I am truly really sorry. Really.” “Then why didn’t you help me?” “Fear. I was afraid, I’m afraid. I was fearfully frightened of failing in flight. Fear of failure is what fearfully frightened me. Yes. Fear.” Koostan looked at Mr. Greencroak. “Does he talk this way all the time?” he asked. “Mostly when he is afraid.” Mr. Greencroak explained. “ But . . . ” Koostan was trying to keep his composure. “Or nervous.” the frog added. “Yes, nervous.” Diamondwing echoed. “Nerve wracking nerves make me nervous. And I notice my nerves are nervously nervous now.” Koostan held up his hands. “Let’s just get on with the wish-- this is serious business and we are taking so long it’s beginning to get on MY nerves.” Mr. Greencroak motioned for Diamondwing to land beside him. They were friends and it would be good for them to share whatever was about to happen. Though the dragonfly sometimes talked a bit strange, he had never failed to help Mr. Greencroak when help was needed. It was Diamondwing that had talked to him throughout the night, trying to help him come to a firm decision about the wish he was being forced to accept. Between the two of them, it was decided that if a wish were to be made, it must be one that would make a difference to more than just the frog, no matter what Koostan had said about Mr. Greencroak needing to wish something that would help himself the most. No wish would ever make him happy unless it also could make others happy. “Koostan,” Mr. Greencroak tried to fill his short stature with as much confidence as he could muster, but he could still feel his knees shaking like a baby’s rattle. “Koostan,” he repeated, “I have decided that my wish is to be a king.” Then he added, just for emphasis, “A real king.”