A Little Frog’s Heart: The Coming of Age

Introducing the Old Rat

Introducing the Old Rat

Volume III ended with the death and fabulous burial of the Old Rat, who had served as a host and master of the large family of fleas; one of them is our endearing Flea who’s been talking to the little Silkworm, a conversation lasting by now for almost three volumes.

In the first volume the poor Mother Drop, which had just lost her entire family, took part in the discussions; afterwards, she enters a long period of recovery, to regain her strength and be able to search for her dear ones. Over-excited and sharing a taste for adventure, the Flea and the little Worm, instead of sleeping, talked all night, with the former as the main storyteller (out of pleasure, but also because he could not resist the temptation of showing off). The little Silkworm, being the youngest, was of course more curious, with many ‘whys’ on the tip of his tongue. Albeit small, he wasn’t stupid at all! Impressed by the pompous, even legendary (fairy-tale-like) burial of the Old Rat, he immediately thought that such an end must have been preceded by a similar life, a life not only long, but also rich in trials and adventures. So he did his best to challenge the Flea to properly tell the story.

The Flea entered the game and started to tell the story of the Old Rat, beginning with what was most familiar, his natural environment – his host’s body, starting to unravel the secrets of the old fur, his wounds, his scars, his heart and red blood cells, all so secretive and careful with their master’s life. And because the Flea’s eldest brother had once been forced to run away from home and hide “in the mountains” towards the Rat’s head, we are introduced to his nose, eyes, and especially his ears! The ears are cave-like and, as a reward for being granted accommodation and the chance to re-build his confidence, the eldest brother does a first-ever thorough cleaning of the ears. We find out many things about the roads and paths which meander through the Rat’s body, well hidden in his fur, which resembles a huge forest; a forest barely interrupted by small areas, similar to clearings, where tufts of fur have been pulled out by the many dangerous life events. But I’d better not forget about the final story, the confrontation between the Louse and the hive when he and the Flea’s eldest brother wanted to treat themselves to stolen honey.

I have to confess that I am one of those who don’t have a special liking for fleas, lice, rats, or the sight of blood. Even so, when I started reading “A Little Frog’s Heart” series, I have not felt any revulsion for his characters, so unusual to come across in fairy tale books; on the contrary, I’ve always felt a sort of sympathy, even empathy. The author must be extremely talented to induce such a dramatic change of heart in his readers. I know this because I had the opportunity to share opinions with other readers.

You are starting volume IV of the story, which I have already read. As for myself, I can’t wait for the next one, and I’m pretty sure you’ll feel the same when you get to the end of this book.

June 19, 2011, Iaşi

Liviu Antonesei