Sonny’s Magical day on Table Rock Lake

It was the first day of summer, and Sonny could hardly sit still. His family had just arrived at Table Rock Lake, a sparkling blue gem hidden in the Ozark Mountains. Sonny loved this place—green forests, cool water, and the whisper of frogs and crickets at night. But this year felt different. This year, Sonny was sure something magical was waiting to be found.

After breakfast, he grabbed his bright yellow backpack and headed out. “I’m going exploring!” he called to his mom and dad. “Stay near the cove!” dad called, already unpacking the car.

Sonny skipped down the path toward the shore. Butterflies skipped across the flowers near the waters edge and turtles sunbathed on floating logs.

He stopped near a crooked oak tree with roots that dipped into the lake like fingers. That’s when he saw it - a sparkly, giant dragonfly hovering inches over the water. It looked like a dragonfly, but it was the biggest one ever!

“Whoa...” Sonny said stepping back. Suddenly, there was a whoosh sound behind him. He quickly spun around.

Zipping around the trees he saw the same strange creature. It was so bright and sparkly. Its eyes were big and black like marbles, but it was a transulecent, irridescent blue.

“Hi,” Sonny said, blinking.

“Hello,” said the creature, smiling. “I’m Ripple. You can see me, can’t you?”

Sonny nodded slowly. “Are you… a dragonfly?”

Ripple laughed. “Kind of. I’m a Lakeling. I guard Table Rock Lake. You must be special to see me.”

Sonny’s eyes lit up. “That’s amazing! How do you guard the lake?”

“We keep the lake clean and its animals safe,” Ripple said proudly. “But this summer, something’s wrong. The frogs aren’t singing like they should and the fish are acting strange.”

Sonny frowned. “How can I help?” Ripple pointed toward a small stream coming down the woods into the cove. “There’s a plastic bag stuck near the inlet where the frogs’ breed. If it stays, the tadpoles won’t hatch.”

Sonny sprang into action. He followed Ripple stepping carefully across wet stones. When he spotted the bag caught in some roots, he grabbed it gently and tucked it into his backpack.

“Got it!” he cheered.

Ripple clapped. “You did it! Now the frogs can return.”

As the sun rose higher in the sky, Ripple turned to Sonny. “Thank you, lake friend.”

“What else can I do?” Sonny asked.

Ripple smiled. “If you always watch the lake shore for trash and debris you can help make our job easier! Then listen to nature. If you hear the birds singing, frogs croaking and insects buzzing it means the lake is healthy.”

And then as quickly as he appeared, Ripple vanished.

Sonny ran back to the house, his heart full and eyes wide. He told his parents he had an amazing adventure - though he left out the part about lakelings.

That night, as stars twinkled above the lake, and fireflies rose from the grass, the frogs began to sing.

Sonny smiled, knowing today he made a difference.