Oh, to be a Frog on the Frame

As Singita guides we hold ourselves to a high level of professionalism, and rightly so. However, just like you and those who surround you, we are merely human. Being able to unwind and offload is a prerequisite to a healthy life so there are times when we do just that. A fly on the wall may get to hear gossip, home-truths and secrets, but in our case it’s a frog on the frame…

If animals could speak, namely this foam-nest frog, we would have a lot of guides’ blush.

Why this one you may ask?

Well, from somewhere around May we had noticed a southern foam-nest frog (Chiromantis xerampelina) perched on a frame right above a computer in the guides’ office. It has offered us great learning as it has not moved - except on one occasion, observed by Head Guide, Marc Eschenlohr, when it ventured about three feet to the desk below before returning, up until now, the month of September. It is a true survivalist with amazing adaptations to living during a warm winter with no rain, year after year. This, however, is beside the point.

This frog has been present, day in and day out, behind the scenes, witnessing all sorts of antics and stories. Not all of us have been overjoyed by Freddy, yes that’s its name. One of our guides, Coman, refuses to sit at the computer below the amphibian as he fears it and its cultural significance to him. We all have taken an interest in this frog in some way or another, wondering how long it will stay and what will cause it to move - most likely the first decent rain when it heads off to find a mate.

The guides’ room is home to many post-drive debates, funny stories, teasing, and resolving of work-related issues. So, Freddy hears these and the personal stories and challenges that we all experience in our lives. Even the tribulations in our local love for our sports team often has Quentin and I blabbering away for ages. I wonder what the frog thinks of all of this? Why does it choose to spend its period of aestivation in our presence? Perhaps it’s not Freddy’s first visit to the guides’ office or maybe he was bored of by the lack of gossip and bad jokes elsewhere?

I believe that letting the mind wander and exploring our imagination is crucial to our personal well-being, so I hope you’ve enjoyed me sharing this daydream!