Here’s a heartwarming story Colleen Van Hoven shared with me …
This is the stump of the tree Ben Collins cut down a few days ago on our neighbor’s property. It is not the picture I should have taken: I should have taken a picture of Ben about forty feet above the ground as he confronted a tiny tree frog sitting on a branch he was about to saw off. His special boots dug firmly into the bark, Ben called for a bucket to be hoisted up the tree in the Save-the-Frog rescue mission.
Ben’s first attempt to catch the frog failed as the little fellow hopped further down the branch. His second attempt was successful and the bucket and frog were quickly lowered to the ground before the frog could hop out. Ben then asked his helper to take the frog and put him on a maple tree in back of our house. The tree was carefully selected to give the frog the best chance to blend in and survive.
When Ben was asked why he went to such trouble to save the little frog, he answered he would not have been able to sleep at night had he not made the effort to save the frog. The frog safely in his new home, Ben continued to cut down the tree, leaving just the stump.
Update
[Be Collins shared the following photos that he took while high aloft. Thanks, Ben!]
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- Spring Song: Frogs of the Adirondacks (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
Kara says
This is the most beautiful and touching story I have ever read! That Ben sounds like an amazing man!!!! How wonderful ❤️ Thank you for sharing. We need more people like Ben in the world.