As far as James could see Elspeth had given him two options - either he could had outside to the small pond in her private garden or out into the public street in search of a better source of water. There was really no contest - privacy trumped everything here.
Hopping out of the back door James immediately felt the wintry weather outside attacking his uncovered skin. Elspeth had assured him that the conditions outside could have no negative effect on him, but his body was screaming at him that this was a terrible idea. He hoped that somehow he might get used to the bracing cold before this punishment ended, but right now that didn't seem likely. He felt the cold wet grass and slushy mud on his hands and feet as he hopped towards the pond at the end of Elspeth's modestly sized back garden. Even alone this felt humiliating and dehumanising, not to mention physically unpleasant. How he wished he hadn't made his doomed attempt to escape - what was he thinking? If he was allowed to make any sound other than croaking noises he would beg Elspeth for forgiveness immediately.
Reaching the pond James winced for a second. It was full of dirty, brownish liquid and teeming with flies, bugs and actual frogs and toads. He had never had his face this close to the surface of a pond before and felt disgusted by the smell that was coming from it. Nonetheless he had no choice but to leap in.
James felt the mucky water washing over the lower part of his body and splash up onto his stomach and chest as he landed in it. Much of the wildlife around him seemed to scatter from him in surprise as if even they couldn't understand why he was doing this, though a fly buzzed annoyingly around his face. Though the thought repulsed him even as he was doing it he was able to somewhat awkwardly snare the creature with his tongue when it ventured too close to him and gobbled it down whole, which made him feel momentarily sick. On the plus side, the water was actually warmer than it had been outside the pond and he almost wished it covered more of his body than it did. And comfort wasn't the only reason for that desire. Catching his reflection in Elspeth's French windows he could see just how absurd he looked squatting in her tiny pond. The water barely reached the top of his calves and his penis was still mostly on display with just the tip dangling into the water.
Elspeth's garden wasn't as private as it could have been either, being overlooked by a couple of houses. He noticed the curtain twitch in one of the windows and a late middle aged woman looked at him disapprovingly for a moment or two before averting her eyes and walking away. Moments later, James was joined by Elspeth.
"Ah, so you decided you like my pond?" she taunted "Not that I don't like having you at the bottom of my garden, but isn't it a little big for you?"
"Ribbit" James responded defensively. He feared what might be coming next.
"I tell you what, there is a lovely fresh lake which is only a ten minute hop for you from here. It will give you a chance to swim about and properly enjoy your surroundings. I won't be reversing your punishment until I'm satisfied you've fully embraced it."
"Ribbit" James sighed sadly. It looked like he was heading to the lake.