"But I don't have any right to take you away from your home." The blonde man looked down at the frog and his green eyes, so bright a few moments ago at the thought of a new pet, now looked sad.
"You probably have lived here since you were a tadpole," the man reasoned. "It would be like kidnapping you."
"No, you can take me," James wanted to say, but he could only croak. "I hate this awful pond. There's a monster bird that keeps trying to eat me."
The man reached for a backpack James hadn't noticed. The man took out a towel and started drying off his magnificent body. "Yes, I'm sorry I ever even thought about taking away your freedom, little buddy."
"Ribbit!" James protested. He wouldn't last much longer out here. He knew that if that awful bird didn't get him, there must be many other nasty predators just waiting to make an easy meal.
The man lifted the towel and started drying his head and shoulders. While the giant man was distracted, James made an impulsive leap and landed deep inside the man's pack.
It worked. He heard the man's voice. "Oh, you left," the man said. "I guess you were afraid that I'd really take you."
He placed his towel into the back, burying an unnoticed little frog under a layer of terrycloth fabric.