A Frog & A Rabbit

"A Frog & A Rabbit" is a heartwarming poetic story. While not a song, per se, it carries a simple yet poignant message through the combination of music, poetry, and art that everyone can relate to in one way or another. We all have unique differences, and that's not a bad thing. We can choose to embrace our differences, and even turn them into strengths, allowing us to achieve things we never could on our own.

While the message can be applied to all ages, "A Frog & A Rabbit" will likely be most fitting for your youngest students. You could use it many different ways. The most obvious would be to simply play the audio of the full version for your students while holding up the magazine and turning the pages so they can see the art and follow along with the poem. Jennifer Vulpas' artwork is absolutely wonderful, and our narrator, Jerry Rhinehart, captures a beautiful introspective tone. Or, you could use the accompaniment version as you read the story aloud, or have a student or students read it. Perhaps they could trade off verses. Do what works best for you.

If you want to do a live performance, students could act out the story while it's being read. If doing this, it would probably work best to keep the acting very simple, and very planned. Or, you could project the PowerPoint version so the audience can read along and see the art. Feel free to use any of these suggestions, or even go beyond our suggestions if you have your own ideas. You could make as little or as much out of the production as you like. The point is to share and enjoy the story.

The music has a basic arch form – ABCBA: A (mm. 1-18), B (19-46), C (47-59), B (60-77), A (78-94), and the narration is in the BCB sections. During the A sections, you might suggest that your students or audience sit still with their eyes closed to help them focus on the music and the message. You could also prepare them with a few questions before you start: Can you imagine the frog and the rabbit? Perhaps you can see yourself in these characters? Maybe you know someone who needs a little encouragement, or a simple compliment? The A sections properly set the mood, allow time for reflection, and provide musical bookends to the story.

Consider playing the piano part live. It is not too difficult and fits quite comfortably under the hands. You can skip the cue-size piano 2 part entirely, or have two people sit at the piano to cover both parts if you'd like. Be sure to use a gentler touch, and include rubato throughout to infuse emotion. Once you learn the main building blocks of the piano part, feel free to simplify, adapt, or modify it for the speed of your readers as needed. Vamping sections will allow for more flexibility and reduce pressure if there is any concern over correctly timing the narration with the music – a rushed performance will quickly dampen the mood. The piano part does show the ideal beginning spots for each verse, but it's completely okay to use the piano part more freely rather than try to exactly replicate our recording. Aim for an organic, heartfelt, gentle feel, creating an atmosphere for the story to come to life.

A few additional components are available to you online: PDF of the piano part only (no poem or art), PDF of poem and art only (no piano part), and a PowerPoint of the poem (with art).