Shaun Dooley - Sir Lilypad: A Tall Tale of a Small Frog CBeebies Bedtime Stories

Hello.

My name's Shaun.

And tonight's bedtime story is one of my favourites.

Would you like to hear it?

Great!

It's called Sir Lilypad - A Tall Tale Of A Small Frog.

It's by Anna Kemp and Sara Ogilvie.

Once upon a time in a deep, dark bog

lived a teeny tiny speckled frog.

His brothers called him Little Tad, but he preferred...

Sir Lilypad!

Sir Lilypad, the proud and free -

a knight in slimy armour, he.

Sir Lilypad the brave and wise,

slayer of the dragonflies.

But no-one takes you seriously

when you're not much bigger than a pea.

And so, Sir Lily wished and longed

to grow up big and tall and strong.

Then, one night, tucked in his nook,

he read the most terrific book.

Frog to prince, with one small kiss

From a grateful royal miss?

Sir Lily scratched his speckled head -

"I'd never thought of that!", he said.

"If I could save a princess true,

"I'd surely grow a foot or two!"

Next morning, feeling tough and brave,

he hopped off to the local cave,

and found an ogre, vast and green,

a-watering his runner beans.

"Halt, foul ogre!

"Where's the dame?",

croaked Sir Lily, eyes aflame.

The ogre shook his massive head.

"I'm far too old for that," he said.

"And you're too small, don't you agree,

"for bashing giant folk like me?"

"You should be getting home, my dear.

"Does your mummy know you're here?"

Sir Lily blushed from tip to toe -

but was he beaten? Heavens, no!

And so he searched the bolted towers,

the forest and the field of flowers,

the witch's house

and the wizard's tree.

But every one was princess-free!

By now, Sir Lily had a stitch.

His chainmail pants began to itch.

His sandwiches were getting soggy -

oh, what a wretched little froggy!

But wait a sec - what's that over there?

A sudden glimpse of flowing hair!

Sparkling eyes and cherry lips,

a broadsword slung around the hips.

Still, never mind, a fair princess -

and in a dragon's grip, no less!

Sir Lily gave a mighty croak

and charged right through the dragon's smoke.

"Release that maiden fair!",

He roared, then poked him with his wooden sword.

"I say," said Dragon, "Do you mind?

"It's rude to creep up from behind!"

But Sir Lily, undeterred,

pretended that he hadn't heard.

"Now flee back to your darkened den,

"or else I'll poke you once again!"

"Slow down, Froggy!", laughed the lady,

"That's my friend! No need to save me.

"And have you seen me in a fight?

"I just don't need a noble knight."

Brave Sir Lily turned quite pale.

Then suddenly, began to wail!

"But now I'll be forever small!

"And not a proper knight at all!

"The other frogs will call me stuff

"like Weedy Pants and Sugar Puff!

"I'll always just be tiny Tad,

"and never brave Sir Lilypad!"

The Princess shook her head and laughed.

"But, Lilypad, you're being daft!

"Froglets can be heroes too.

"Why don't you join our motley crew?"

"Can I? Really?", Lily blinked.

"You betcha, Froggy," Princess winked.

"Arise, Sir Lilypad The Green.

"Bravest frog we've ever seen."

From that day on, our fearless knight

forgot his under-average height.

He sought adventure, joined the fray,

and poked some baddies on the way.

He cut the bullies down to size,

stood up for all the little guys.

Till news spread far across the land

of Lily and his gallant band.

And centuries later, tales were read

to wide-eyed tadpoles, tucked in bed.

Of all the great adventures had

by small, but brave, Sir Lilypad.

Hurrah for Sir Lilypad -

our heroes come in all shapes and sizes.

Hope you enjoyed that.

It's bedtime now, so I'll say goodnight.

I hope you sleep tight.

See you again soon. Night-night.