HOW TO CROAK LIKE A FROG
The How-To Cowboy™
Secret, Magic How-To Fun Tricks
1 As you know, you can sound like a frog by saying either Bree-dup or Rib-bit. And as you should also know, frogs said Bree-dup before they said Rib-bit, but that’s another story.
2 Most animal sounds are made on the exhale. Try Moooo, Woof Woof, and Quack Quack. The frog sound is made on the inhale. And there are several ways to do it.
3 First, imagine you are in an examination room, and the doctor says, “Stick out your tongue and say, ‘Ahhhh.’ That Ahhhh is an exhale. Now do the Ahhhh on the inhale. It’s more gravelly sounding, right? Work on it, turning your first attempt into a steady creaking, croaking sound. Now mouth Bree-dup or Rib-bit, and you’ve got an authentic frog croak. Inflate your double chin to amplify.
4 If the above method doesn’t work, try this: Pretend that you are in that same examination room, and the doctor places a cold stethoscope disc on your back and says, “Inhale deeply.” Also imagine you have bronchitis. Wheeze. Do you have that rolling guttural sound? If not, move to the next step.
5 Tilt your head back and pretend to gargle. Think of a motorcycle going from first to second gear. Do you have it? Mouth Bree-dup and Rib-bit.
6 If it helps, switch to a diet of insects. Read How The Frog Got His Bree-dup by Edward Allan Faine and Jim Hunt (see above, right).
7 Test your new-found skill. Camp next to a swampy pond on a summer night and croak like a frog. Make new amphibian friends.
8 On a more serious note: Frog populations all over the world are in decline. If the frogs go, then the fish and snakes go. If the snakes go, the birds go. If the birds go … you get the picture. Save a frog today, join FROGWATCH USA.
Did you know the Cowboy has written a 24-page picture book titled How The Frog Got His BREE-DUP, with pictures by Annapolis illustrator Jim Hunt? View it at Amazon.com. Order there, or by sending $5 (includes S&H) to the IM Press address below. Be sure to specify an inscription: “To Samantha: On her fourth birthday.” Info: [email protected].
The How-To RanchHand Challenge: Send a unique How-To trick to IM Press, Box 5346, Takoma Park, MD 20913 with step-by-step instructions and, If accepted, you will see your trick published in this space, and receive a LITTLE NED STORIES book and a $10 check.
Visit The How-To Cowboy, aka Edward Allan Faine at his website: http://www.takoma.com/ned/home.htm
Kids Calander
Friday, January 3
Tiny Toes
The Ballet Theatre of Maryland introduces kids ages 2-3 to dance and expression. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Fridays thru Feb. 21, 9:15-10am @ Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis. $80; rsvp: 410/263-5544.
Saturday, January 4
Jack Frost
Meet Jack Frost for an early morning run at Cove Point Park. The 1-mile run is for ages 6 and up. 7:30am @ Cove Point Park, Lusby. $: 410/586-1101.
Best of Broadway
Your favorite musical numbers from the previous season combine in Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance. Come out and hear such greats as “A Chorus Line,” “42nd Street,” “Grease” and “Hello, Dolly.” Thru Feb. 15, doors open 2 hours before, buffet begins 1.5 hours before. Show begins 8pm; 1pm W; 2:30pm Su @ Chesapeake Music Hall, Annapolis. $33.50 FSa, $30.50 Su-Th, $10 off regular admission for kids ages 4-12; rsvp: 800/406-0306.
Tuesday, January 7
Take 15 for the Family
The whole family will enjoy the stories, fun and prizes at the library. You can even meet “Sneaks,” the Summer Reading mascot as well as other great guests. It is never too early to get interested in reading, so come on by the library. 6:30pm @ Calvert Library, Prince Frederick. Free: 410/535-0291 • 301/855-1862.
