A Time To Laugh and A Time To Cry

Johnny sat on the front steps with tears coming down his eyes. In his hand, he held his lifeless pet frog. Behind him in the house, a party was going on. The children inside were having so much fun that they did not want to share the boy's sadness.

Johnny's brother Sam came from the house and sat down beside him. He noticed the frog and said, "Johnny, don't be sad! You can get another frog at the pond later.  And I promise I will help you find another frog tomorrow morning.  But please come back into the house!"   Johnny shook his head no. The boy impatiently got up and re-joined the party.

Ten minutes later, his sister Sally came out and sat with him.  "Johnny,” Sally said, "You can't stay this way. You need to forget about your frog and come into the house and join the party. You are missing all the fun.  Anyway, it's just a stupid frog."  Johnny again shook his head no. Sally became irritated; she jumped up and re-joined the party.    


Five minutes later, Johnny's older brother came out and sat with him.  "Johnny, why are you so sad over a frog? You know you will find another frog and you will forget this one. Sam said he would help you find another one. Forget this one and come join the party.”  Johnny said nothing.  “You know Johnny, people do not like hanging around sad people. They would rather be with those that know how to be happy. Please come in?" 

Johnny again shook his sad head no. His brother uncomfortable with Johnny's feelings got up and re-joined the party. Soon Johnny's brother was laughing again.

Six minutes later, a man sat down beside Johnny. He did not say a thing. He put his arm around Johnny and suffered with the boy. Johnny broke down in tears. The man still did not say a thing.  “His name is Pete," said Johnny.

"That's a good name, Johnny," said the man. 

Johnny continued, “I came home from school today and found Pete this way.  It is my birthday and the party inside is for me. My family wants me to join them, but I do not feel like laughing right now. They're disappointed in me, especially my big brother!" 

"It's okay Johnny, there's a time to cry and a time to laugh," the man said. "I believe right now, for you, it is a time to cry."  Johnny looked up at the man.  He saw understanding. His eyes told Johnny that it was okay to be sad, and he did not have to hurry up.

"I would like to bury my frog," said Johnny.  "Good idea!" said the man. "I'll be right back, don't go away."

With that last sentence, the man got up and re-entered the house. He started to look around as though he was on a mission. 


A few minutes later, he came out with a small box and asked Johnny, "What about this box? Do you think that Pete would like to be buried in it?"  Johnny for the first time smiled. He shook his head yes. Johnny put the frog in the box and the man put the led on it. They both got up and went to the backyard. Johnny found the shovel and dug a hole. The man gave Johnny the box and Johnny put it into the hole and covered the grave.

"I would like to say something?" Johnny exclaimed. The man nodded okay.

"Thank you Pete for being my best friend. I know you were just a frog, but you were my frog. I will never forget you."

The man looked at Johnny and knew that probably tomorrow, or even an hour from now, Johnny will forget Pete. He may even find another frog that will become his best friend. He did not correct Johnny to that knowledge. He knew, Johnny would find out for himself. However, right now at this moment, Johnny was sad. In addition, right now Johnny needed someone to share his sadness. Therefore, the man just put his arm around Johnny and smiled. Johnny smiled back. They walked into the house and joined the party. Half an hour later, Johnny was laughing and playing games with his friends. Because someone shared his grief, no matter how small it appeared, he was now able to laugh.