Daddy Worm's Warning

Frankie wiggled her little pug-chihuahua body, her tail giving a hesitant thump-thump against the cool evening grass. The sun, a big, sleepy orange ball, was just starting to dip below the rooftops, painting the sky in soft shades of pink and purple. This was Frankie’s favorite time of day. This was Frog time. She’d trot out to the edge of her yard, her little ears perked, her nose twitching, ready for her green friend to appear.

And there he was! A flash of emerald, a quick hop, and Frog landed with a soft plop near the rose bushes. He blinked his big, golden eyes at Frankie, and a tiny, almost imperceptible smile seemed to stretch across his wide mouth. Frankie’s tail gave a happier wag. She loved Frog. He was so smooth and cool, and he always seemed so happy to see her. They’d play chase amongst the daisies, Frankie barking little playful yips and Frog making surprising leaps and bounds, always staying just far enough away to make it a fun game.

But tonight, something felt different. As Frankie trotted towards Frog, a shadow fell over her. It was Daddy Worm, his long, earthy body coiling protectively around her. He nudged her gently with his head, his voice a low, rumbling sound that always made Frankie feel safe, but sometimes, it also made her tummy feel a little fluttery.

“Frankie, my little sprout,” he began, his voice soft but serious. “Come here, let’s have a little chat before you go see your friend.”

Frankie tilted her head, her bright eyes looking up at her dad. He always had the best stories and the warmest hugs. “What is it, Daddy?” she asked, her voice a tiny squeak.

Daddy Worm’s brow furrowed, a tiny ripple in his smooth, brown skin. “You know how much I love you, don’t you, Frankie?”

Frankie nodded vigorously, her tail giving a little thump. “Yes, Daddy! I love you too!”

“And because I love you so much,” he continued, his voice dropping lower, as if sharing a very important secret, “I have to tell you something very important about your friend, Frog.”

Frankie’s ears perked up even more. A secret? About Frog? Her heart did a little skip.

“You see, Frankie,” Daddy Worm said, drawing her closer. “Frogs… well, they have a special kind of pee. And if that pee gets on a dog’s eyes…” He paused, letting the words hang in the air. “It can make them go blind.”

Frankie’s eyes widened. Blind? Like not being able to see the sun? Or the pretty flowers? Or Frog? Her tail stopped wagging altogether. A cold, prickly feeling spread through her. She looked over at Frog, who was now sitting serenely by the rose bushes, watching her with those big, friendly eyes. He looked so… normal. So gentle. Could he really do something so terrible?

“Blind, Daddy?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Daddy Worm nodded, his expression grave. “Yes, my darling. It’s a very important thing to remember. You have to be very careful. Don’t let Frog get too close. Don’t let him splash you.”

Frankie’s little legs felt wobbly. She loved Frog. She loved playing with him. He never seemed mean. But Daddy Worm was her dad. He knew everything. He always wanted to protect her. He wouldn’t lie to her, would he?

She looked at Frog again. He blinked. Was that a friendly blink? Or was he… plotting something? Her mind raced. She remembered all the times they’d played, all the giggles and happy barks. Frog had never once splashed her. He always seemed to be careful where he hopped. He never made a big splash when he jumped. He was always so gentle.

But Daddy Worm said… Daddy Worm said it could happen. And Daddy Worm was always right. He was the wisest worm in the whole garden. He just wanted her to be safe. That’s why he told her. He was a good daddy.

A wave of confusion washed over Frankie. She liked Frog. She really, really liked him. He made her happy. But the thought of not being able to see… of not being able to chase butterflies or see her daddy’s loving face… it was a terrible thought.

She took a small step back, away from Frog. Her tail tucked slightly between her legs. Frog, sensing the shift in her energy, hopped a little closer, his head tilted as if asking what was wrong.

“No, Frog,” Frankie whimpered, her voice laced with a new fear. “Stay back.”

Frog stopped hopping. He sat down, his green skin glistening in the fading light. He looked at Frankie, his golden eyes wide with a question she couldn’t quite decipher. He didn’t understand. He didn’t know she was scared of him. He just wanted to play.

Daddy Worm gave Frankie a reassuring nudge. “It’s okay, my love. I’m here. Just remember what I told you. Be careful.”

Frankie looked from her dad, whose concern was written all over his face, to Frog, whose innocent gaze seemed to hold a hint of sadness. Her heart felt heavy, caught between two worlds. She loved her daddy and his warnings, but she also loved Frog and his playful spirit. The game of chase, the happy yips, the feeling of pure joy she felt when Frog was near… it was all tinged with this new, dark worry.

She wanted to run to Frog, to nuzzle him and tell him everything was okay. But the image of blindness, a world without light, flickered behind her eyes. She couldn't risk it. Not for her eyes. Not for her precious sight.

So, Frankie stood there, a small, conflicted dog, caught in the twilight. She watched Frog, her best friend, who was now also a potential danger. She loved her daddy, who had warned her with such love. The evening, which had always been a time of pure happiness, was now filled with a confusing mix of affection and fear. She looked at Frog one last time, her heart aching. He was still there, waiting, his golden eyes reflecting the last rays of the sun. But Frankie couldn’t bring herself to cross the invisible line that now separated them. The playful romp was over, replaced by a quiet, worried stillness. The joy of their friendship had been overshadowed by Daddy Worm’s solemn warning, leaving Frankie with a heavy heart and a growing uncertainty about her green friend.