The story line is that Toad wanted a garden, planted the seeds but was impatient to see the results. Toad learned at the end that creating a garden was hard work.
We all look for the quick fix, gratification in life. The classic Bible study is Jonah and the whale. Coveting is also a problem – we covet what our neighbor has. There may be some coveting in that toad wanted a garden that frog may have had based on the image. The garden was walled off and Toad was outside wanting such as garden.
The garden image is easy to relate back to the Bible as the Garden of Eden. In scriptures since then man has been trying various ways to get back to the Garden – paradise. There are plenty of gardens in the Bible – the garden in the resurrection story of John, gardens in Isaiah, Proverbs.
Another point in the story is the gifts we have are not totally free. We have the land, tools, seeds. However, we have to work at them and have patience and faith that the garden will grow. We work at transformation.
And all of this is at God’s time, not ours. Toad had to learn that despite lighting the garden, reducing the noise, reading stories it depended on God to have the magic work. We are not alone – God is with us in our journeys.
Toad longed for a garden. Catherine asked what do we long for – peace, quiet, reduction in noise ?
We are impatient and there are examples in the Bible – Moses striking the rock, expectation of the second coming soon after the resurrection, the prodigal son.
The key in growing the garden was a balance between light and darkness. Discussion ensued about the ability to grow plants without light. Ultimately we need God’s light to griow and transform ourselves. The seed is a metaphor for our own growth and ultimately our salvation.
There is also the concept of seeds as a sense of nourishment which we all need.
It was stressed the importance of prayer during the period of wait. Also the important of music -inspiration in our journey.
Frog came back at the end of the story with Toad dominating most of the story. Toad is asleep before he is waken up by Frog to see that his garden has grown. Could Frog be God or Jesus ?
These stories constantly emphasize the need for friendship and support – both Frog and Toad need each other. Frog is the straight guy, seemingly with the direction and wisdom; Toad displays many of our foibles. Like Toad we learn by doing.
At the end Catherine asked what or who do we want to be – Frog? Toad? the seeds? the garden?
She concluded the session with readings from Teresa d’Avila, a Spanish mystic and saint of the 16th century and Miles Coverdale, an Englishman also of the 16th century, a Bible translator who produced the first complete printed translation of the Bible into English.
Frog and Toad- "The Garden" (full size gallery)