PJ Frog’s Birthday

PJ frog opened his eyes to the bright sun of a new day.  He stretched out his long legs and stuck out his tongue to taste the morning air.  PJ hopped out of his bed onto the green, dew soaked leaves and raced to his mom’s nest nearby. 
“Wake up, mommy, wake up,” PJ shouted with excitement!
“Good morning, my baby boy”, his mom said.  PJ yelled, “Do you know what today is?”
His mom teased, “No, what is today?”
“My Birthday”, exclaimed PJ.  “I’m 5 years old today.”
“Oh,” mom said, “Is it your birthday TODAY?”
“Mom, you remember, don’t you?” said PJ.
“Of course I do. It’s my favorite day of the year,” mom said.  She pulled out a big box with a bright red bow.
“Happy Birthday, PJ!”
“Oh, mom, is this what I think it is?” PJ hoped she had gotten all his hints about what he wanted.  A new guitar! The kind that his favorite band plays. Shiny blue and sounding awesome!
PJ pulled apart the wrapping paper and yanked off the bow.  He opened the box and it was…… the guitar! PJ was so happy. He immediately picked it up and started playing.  Only to his surprise, it did not sound too good.  PJ quickly got discouraged and threw down the guitar.  Mom picked it back up and said, “PJ, try again. You’ll never know how good you could be if you give up now.” 
PJ was disappointed. He wanted the guitar, but he did not want to take the time to learn to play it. Reluctantly, so he did not hurt his mom’s feelings, he picked the guitar back up and tried again.  It sounded just as bad.  He got very upset!  “PJ”, said his mom, “never give up. Practice, practice, and practice. Soon you’ll see that you can accomplish any thing you set your mind to.”
That night PJ tried again.  The day after that he tried again. The day after that he tried again.  Each day he tried a little longer and a little harder. Until one day PJ played the most beautiful song on his guitar. 
His mom had been listening, as she had each day.  She was so proud of him for not giving up.  PJ and his mom would sit for hours together while PJ played the song over and over until it was perfect!  PJ was so proud of himself and his mom was so proud of him too!
PJ said, “thank you so much for buying me this guitar.  I guess you believed in me before I even believed in myself!”  PJ’s mom said,” That’s what moms’ are for!  With this guitar you will make beautiful music forever. Now what better gift could there be?”
PJ said, “This is the best birthday gift ever.”
PJ and his mom sat together on a nest of leaves while PJ played his music as the sun set around them.