Perky.

Perky grasshopper likes leaves and sunlight and flowers. One day, perky grasshopper bounces her way to the meadow beyond the fence.

On a rock beyond the fence sits a grumpy-looking toad, unmoving. Grumpy-looking toad squints at perky grasshopper and then lets out a croak. He then goes back to staring straight in front him.

Perky grasshopper decides that she'll go explore the meadow beyond the fence. She converses with crickets, banters with bluebirds, and mooches around with mushrooms. Then she goes back to talk with toad. He's still looking grumpy. Perky grasshopper pops herself on the rock next to grumpy-looking toad's perch. He blinks.

Perky grasshopper pauses. She doesn't know what to say. Grumpy-looking toad speedily snaps out his tongue to snatch a bug. Perky grasshopper wishes she had a tongue to catch bugs with too, if only to have something to say to grumpy-looking toad.

The sun is going down on the far side of the meadow. Perky grasshopper hops away over the fence, with her back to the sunset.

--

Why do toads look so grumpy,
and why is there nothing to say,
and why must grasshoppers wonder,
are they are too perky or not enough?