Abel's Island

In March, winter recedes, and Abel enjoys being outside of the log soaking in the warmth of the sun. He admires the blooming flowers and the snow melt that fills the stream with rushing water. He returns to his book but prefers to watch spring blooming all around him. Though the nights remain cold, Abel is happy he can once again gaze at his familiar star. He still carries his spear everywhere but never sees the owl again. Abel also resumes his “conversations” with Amanda. May brings a bounty of blooming flowers, and Abel gorges himself on the greens and his homemade wine. Sometimes, after drinking too much, Abel sings and dances and wonders what people would think if they saw what he has become.

One such day, after imbibing too much, Abel lounges drunkenly by the water when a frog approaches. The frog introduces himself as Gower Glackens and explains that he nearly drowned in the swollen waters after emerging from his hibernation in the mud. The text describes Abel’s excitement: “Overjoyed at hearing civilized speech again, Abel ran over to the recumbent frog and looked down at him, beaming with candid delight” (86).