The Castle in the Pond

March 12, 2025 — 8:19pm

Dear Reese,

We tell a story together tonight while you take your bath. Your rubber duck with pilot captain’s hat is our prop. We imagine he leads a tiny you over the water to a castle in the middle of the pond. The castle is lit by firefly sentries and formed from a hollowed tree half sunken in the water.

If this were a game of Dungeons & Dragons, I’d have you make choices along the way. I ask you what you say to your guide and then the sentries at the door. I ask you what brings you to this castle in the pond at dusk.

You talk to me, but I don’t understand. Not yet. So I imagine you say you came here seeking a favor, not for yourself, but to help your family.

We imagine that you persuade the firefly guards to let you in and the duck leads you into the wooden castle and down to where the ruler lives — the Great Bullfrog. She croaks at you from her watery berth.

Croak, croak. Here you laugh and smile. You like the way I make the noise.

At first, you don’t know what to say (“What do you say?” I ask you. You stay silent, focused on some out of reach toy, perhaps), but then (you start babbling and) you share the favor you came all this way for.

“Croak. A gift like that does not come for free,” the Great Bullfrog says. You tell her you are strong and she says she will grant your wish if you complete three tasks for her. The first, to remove the trash the Giants have left in the pond. You are up for the challenge.

The duck leads you away from the Great Bullfrog and offers to continue to be your guide as you seek out the Giant trash.

Here, our story pauses. It’s time to get out of the bath.

Love,
Mama