MISTER FROG
based on the book 'Mister Frog'
by Paul van Loon
Hey, good morning. - Hi.
Ah, weren't they awake yet? - They were too awake.
Thank you.
Have you seen my keys anywhere?
Wait!
Thank you.
Good luck. You can do it. - Mom...
There are over 2500 species.
And the...
In the group of amphibians.
In Greek the word 'amphi' means 'double and 'bi0' means 'life'.
Hey, Sita, want a ride? - Love is in the air!
No, I'll walk.
Five toes, four fingers and no nails.
They live in ditches...
...lakes and rivers.
- Hi. Flat tire, sir. - Hop on the back or you'll be late.
And your teacher will get angry.
Can't you go faster? Come on.
Come on, guys.
We'll overtake you.
I marked your language test. Great job! I'll tell your mom tonight.
Tonight?
PTA meeting.
Who's winning? Yay!
First.
OK guys, put away your things.
Sita, the class is yours.
Have fun.
I actually wanted to bring a real one.
It says here that your show-and-tell is about the cat.
Yes, but I swapped it for frogs.
I like frogs better.
My show-and-tell is about frogs.
A frog is green, has four legs and can jump very far.
A frog lives in water or on the land.
When frogs balk, they croak.
Sir...
Should I stop, or...
continue?
You can go back inside.
- Male frogs can croak very loudly. - Go and sit down, Sita. Thank you.
Sit down.
Sir, are you afraid of frogs?
Silence! I don't want to hear a thing.
Get out your geography book.
- But. . . - What's the capital of Latvia?
Dennis? Rianne?
- Annemarie? - Riga.
Very good. Riga. Very good.
- That makes no sense. - He was just in a bad mood.
- But you worked so hard on it. - Don't mention it tonight, OK?
- Tonight? - PTA meeting.
Yeah, I'll mention it.
Mom...
Hello. Sita speaking.
It's for you. Thomas.
This is Cecile.
Infected? And his temperature?
I'm on my way.
Spot is doing badly. Pus is coming out of his paw.
Mom...
Well, there's something in the fridge.
- Mom, tonight at 8 o'clock. - I'll make that. Easily.
Let's see. A ladle.
Divide the batter across the tin.
Or you could use a piping bag.
It depends on the size of your tin haw much you put it.
But what I like about a Bundt cake, even if ifs not filled to the rim...
lAs you all know, our school has a birthday coming up.
And not just any birthday, it will be a 100 years old.
We're going to celebrate that with the lower grades on a boat.
- Nice. - On a real Noah's ark.
The children will be animals. Rabbits, cats, tigers, you name it.
- All animals are welcome. - Frogs as well?
I can use the help of parents on the boat.
Plus, an anniversary isn't a party without treats.
- And that's where you come in, I hope. - I thought as much.
- Do you like deviled eggs? - Wonderful.
- Homemade Swedish meatballs? - Good.
Apple cupcakes. I have a great recipe.
- I was thinking... - My turn!
Sita.
Bundt cake. My mom makes it.
Good. Homemade?
- With raisins, currents and apple? - And chocolate and nuts.
Delicious. There's nothing better than homemade Bundt cake.
Your turn.
Cucumber.
- OK. - Slices.
- Good. - Cut.
A 100 years and going on a boat...
...is a great idea. Your idea?
Excuse me.
Hey, Sita...
- My mom had to work. - I thought as much.
- Something else... Your animal. - Yes?
I said that all animals are welcome, but not a...
Why not?
Because.
- I'll still be a frog. - Shush!
But why not?
Sita, are you coming? A child alone in the dark...
OK, see you tomorrow. Bye, Sita.
Coming?
Hold on tight.
I will.
Can you ask your teacher what I missed last night?
Nothing.
- How's Spot? - Very bad.
Doesn't eat and drink anymore. He just lies around sleeping.
I don't know what to do...
- Going to school already? - Yes, I have to walk.
- Flat tire. - I'll repair it for you.
I slept badly last night.
- Because of... - My frog?
Yep, that's it.
I have to tell you something. It's...
Promise you won't tell anyone.
I'm different from other people.
I usually look like this. Just a teacher.
But sometimes...
...I'm green...
...slippery, four legs...
A thingy-
A frog?
- You're kidding, right? - No, I'm not. It's...
...who I am.
I don't flaunt it.
But I'm not ashamed of it. Not at all.
Do you know how far I can jump? Five meters. Easily.
And with the wind in my back: six.
Some people think that someone like me can't be a good teacher.
That's why I don't tell anyone. You won't either, will you?
An, wank a Me?
- Did you sleep well, sir? - Had some bad dreams.
Not about frogs, I hope.
What?
Good job. There's still room over there. Get in there.
- I'll make a cat. - A cat? That's nice. Thank you.
Good morning, everyone. Today is an important day for our school.
I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Stork.
It's my pleasure to be here as your new principal.
I promise that I'll do everything in my power to make elementary school The Ark...
- the best school in the country. - It already is!
Name?
Dennis.
Dennis...
This will be the best school in the country...
with children who never argue with their principal...
but who politely keep their mouths shut when he's talking.
We have an A, we have an R, we have a K.
This is the best school of today!
Today?
We have an A, we have an R, we have a K.
This is the best school of today!
We have an A, we have an R, we have a K.
This is the best school of today!
We have an A, we have an R, we have a K.
This is the best school of today!
We have an A, we have an R, we have a K.
This is the best school of today!
We are The Ark! And we're going for it. I'm looking forward to us working together.
Come on, let's go outside. Very good. Line up.
OK, guys. Line up.
Let's see who can jump the farthest.
You go first. Show us what you got.
That wasn't bad at all.
OK, next.
How far can you jump, sir?
- Five meters. - Yeah, right!
- Easily. - No way.
Mum?
Mom.
Hi, sweetie. I'll be done in a minute.
There. Are you OK? Yeah.
_ Mom? _ Yes?
- Can a person also be a frog? - What do you mean?
That sometimes you're a frog and sometimes you're not.
Of course that's possible.
In fairy tales.
Do you know? If sometimes you can be a frog and sometimes not?
- See you tomorrow. - Bye.
Hey, Sita...
Why are we tailing the teacher?
- Tell me. - No.
PET SHOP
Stay here.
I'll explain it to you.
- What are you doing here? - Helping you.
Sir?
- Coming? The teacher isn't here. - Yes, he is!
Don't tell anyone else, OK?
I mean it.
That's the teacher.
The teacher is a frog.
- Yeah, right. - May I help you?
- He needs guinea pig food. - Well, that's not in the display window.
Come with me. Look...
Here's the guinea pig feed. One big bag?
Two? Are you sure you can you carry that?
Never mind. I don't have a guinea pig and I don't like guinea pig feed.
No way the teacher is a frog.
Look at his eyes.
Look.
Gross!
Those are the teacher's eyes.
Told you.
Hi, sir.
Hello.
Sita thinks you're...
Nice flowers. Who are they for?
For a...
For a friend.
I have to put them in water. See you tomorrow.
So you thought that was the teacher?
Can you bring him back to the shop?
Bye!
The teacher was just kidding and you fell for it.
Well, so did you.
No way. - Way.
No way!
I found flowers by the backdoor yesterday.
Red tulips.
- He said he's a frog. - A frog?
Today's lesson is... ribbit.
Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit, ribbit.
- It's a secret. - It's a joke.
Or you shouldn't have told me either. Right?
Lines, please. Grades 4, 5, 6. Please.
- It really is a joke. - No, it's definitely not a joke.
Come on, try your best. Eyes to the front.
How hard can it be to line up?
- Why do we have to line up? - Just do it for me.
How's the gluing going?
It's becoming unglued a bit over there. Good job.
Ribbit.
- Ribbit. - Ribbit.
Shush. Stop it!
GUYS, please.
Stop it. Please.
- How do you do that trick, sir? - Look.
Go, teacher! Go, teacher!
Teacher?
Sit, sit!
Mr. Frans, why aren't your students at their desks?
And why aren't they quiet as a mouse?
And how did that frog get in the classroom?
Well? How did that green, slippery...
It's Mr. Frans.
His frog.
Mr. Frans, it's prohibited...
...to take animals to schools without permission of the principal.
Mr. Frans...
- Where's Mr. Frans? - To the washroom.
OK.
Then I'll teach you something.
The animal kingdom is rich in animals.
Such as birds, fish, bats, pigs.
And out of all these species, frogs are the lowest of the lowest.
Because frogs...
...are...
...filthy...
...slimy...
...mud crawlers.
Who did that?
I'll deliver you from that disgusting, squishy creature.
Where's that frog?
- Where's that filthy beast? - I don't know, sir.
Without permission of the principal, not a single frog is allowed...
...to leave the classroom.
Simon, are you OK?
Yes, I am, Suzanna. I'm very well.
- And you? Are you OK? - Yes.
- He needs a vet. - No, a fairy.
A kiss. When you kiss a frog, he becomes human again.
Not me.
- My mom says I'm not allowed to kiss frogs. - Neither am I.
- Dennis? - No.
It's not your fault.
Frans?
- Why haven't you gone home yet? - We have detention.
Frans gave you detention? Then you must have behaved very badly.
Why is it so messy in here?
Where's your teacher?
- Underneath his desk. - Washroom.
You can go. I'll wait for him here.
Come on. Outside, all of you.
This has never happened to me: Kids who don't want to go home.
Go. Get out.
Hello! You too, Sita.
Mr. Frans and I are going inline skating this afternoon. I think he'll be here soonthis afternoon.
I don't think so.
See you tomorrow.
- Mom? - Hey, what's wrong with you?
Hey, come on, eat something.
- Had fun at school? - Mom, what do frogs eat?
Flies, mosquitoes, ants, spiders.
Snails. Anything that's small and moves.
What if that's not available?
It always is. A fly is already a big bite to eat for a frog.
And nature is full of flies.
- What if a frog isn't in nature? - It will die.
Mom...
You stay with Spot tonight. I'll be fine.
Everyone, go for a pee, wash up and sit down.
Give me that jar.
Thanks.
Careful.
Yes!
Wouter, go for a pee, wash up and sit down.
- Are you staying for dinner? - Well...
Come on. I made too much anyway.
We're having meatballs. I'm sure you'll like them.
Settle down, guys.
You have to go home.
- Right, I have to go home. - No, you have to stay for dessert.
I made pudding with berries from the garden.
- Thank you for dinner. - Come again some day.
- I'll walk you home. - No, it's your turn to do the dishes.
- It's Sam's turn. - No, sit down and finish eating.
- Bye. - Bye, sweetie.
Coming?
- Now? - Yes.
Wanker, come on.
Hurry.
I'll be on the lookout.
But hurry, OK?
Yes.
Sir?
Look!
Hi.
Go ahead.
Enjoy.
Is he still alive?
I think he's enjoying his food.
Behind the wastebasket. There.
- Where? - No, it isn't.
Where's your teacher?
Having a pee again?
Good morning, everyone. Mr. Stork, as we agreed on...
my class is going to prepare for the anniversary today.
Come along. Here we go, guys. Very good.
OK, guys, stop forming a line.
Sir, how did you do that?
- What? - Changing into a frog.
- I want to learn how to do that. - Me too.
Calm down. I'll explain everything later. OK?
- But, sir... - First to get to the curve!
OK, guys, turn right. We're going over there.
That was a delicious fly. Thank you.
It comes naturally to me. I discovered it when I was about four years old.
Since then, whenever I'm reminded of that thingy...
A frog?
Yes. Like yesterday.
Then I get a thingy in my head...
...and it becomes bigger and bigger...
...until I am one.
- Can that happen to me? - No.
It's hereditary. My dad had it. My grandpa. My grandpa's father.
And my grandpa's grandpa. All of them sometimes...
- So how do you become human again? - Good question.
When I want to become human again, I first have to eat an insect.
From now on I'll always take a fly to school. A fly for emergencies.
Would you rather be a teacher or a you-know-what?
The life of a thingy has a lot of benefits.
You can jump and croak.
But it's dangerous as well. You always have to watch out.
- You could be eaten just like that. - Who by?
By a stork. Storks eat...
...US.
Let's get down to work. I promised Miss Suzan a real Noah's Ark.
- Murderer. - What did you say? Murderer?
- He eats frogs. - Sure. Storks eat frogs.
And frogs eat flies and people often eat cows. It's nature.
He should leave frogs alone!
What's with you and frogs lately?
Boogie woogie.
Suzan...
I'm sorry about the inline skating.
- Sita, the teacher has a crush on Miss Suzan. - No way.
I wasn't myself. I didn't feel well.
- I looked green around the gills. - That's awful. And now?
- Completely gone. - Good.
Do you have plans for tonight?
- Not really. - Want to go out for dinner with me?
I know a great restaurant.
- It's called La Grenouille. - La Grenouille?
That's French, Frans.
- My French isn't that good. - It means The Frog.
Don't you like frog legs?
Frans?
Sir?
- Hi. - Wouter.
- Where's Mr. Frans? - Inside.
- No, he just really had to pee.- No, he just really had to pee. Is he sick again?Is he sick again?
I see. OK.
Sita...
- Get your fly. - OK.
Ta-da!
Great.
Where do you think you're going?
Running in the hallway.
It's not the first time you bend the rules, Sita.
- Are you trying to be funny? - She's got the hiccups.
What are you hiding?
Well?
- Simon, am I interrupting? - No.
I'm afraid something's wrong with Frans. He's in the washroom and I knocked...
Again? Frans must think that washroom is his.
He might be stuck in the toilet bowl.
Stuck in the toilet bowl.
I'm writing it down right away.
- Frans has to be careful. - Of what?
- Take it easy. - Sorry, sir.
He's got one.
Look how fat it is!
Look, a fly.
- He doesn't see it. - Yes, he does. Hold on.
Get it. Come on.
Get it. Get it!
- I feel sorry for the fly. - I feel more sorry for the teacher.
Hi, Fritsie, are you all by yourself?
It's hot, right? Yeah, it's hot.
You're home early.
I'm just here for a minute to fix your tire.
- Hello, Wouter. - Hi.
I think there's a bicycle repair kit in there.
- Hello, ma'am. - Hi.
- How wonderful you're baking a Bundt cake. - Me?
- Yes, for the anniversary. - Here's the bicycle stuff.
But I have to disappoint you: The glue's all gone.
See you tomorrow.
- What's your teacher doing here? - Oh, house call.
- In the shed? - Bye.
Do we have any tire glue around here?
- Tire glue? - Sorry. I thought you were someone else.
No, I'm myself. I'm Simon Stork, principal of The Ark.
Oh, good. Since when do you come on a shed call?
- Shed call? - Mr. Frans was in my shed this afternoon.
Right. Mr. Frans again, of course.
Guys, settle down.
Stop it. Now!
Do you always listen to your mom that well too?
Know the secret for a good Bundt cake? Eggs at room temperature.
Cold eggs ruin everything.
- Sita disobedient? What did she do? - What doesn't she do?
Running in the hallway. Making strange sounds.
Getting up when she has to sit. Sitting when she has to get up.
She recently let a frog escape from the classroom.
She's been into frogs lately.
She's her mother's child in that regard. Always concerned for animals.
And frogs belong outside. Don't you agree?
I do agree. But this frog was meant for educational purposes.
And at our school rules are rules.
Rules are just rules. I'm sure that Sita means well.
For you.
That's sweet, but I took care of it already.
- For your teacher. - But you have to bake one yourself.
I'll be glad when these potatoes work out.
Look how gross!
- Sita! - No!
- Where are you going? - That's the bike of Mr. Frans.
HEY, guys.
Are you OK?
Yes.
Mr. Frans?
No Mr. Frans?
He went for a pee, sir.
Ah, a pee.
I went out last night with friends.
An evening of creaking and jumping and so on. Like we often do.
And suddenly there was a stork in the ditch.
A huge animal with the cold eyes of a murderer.
He gobbled up two of my green friends.
And then he grabbed me. Snap! My life passed before my eyes.
- But... - Then I got lucky.
A barking dog ran up to us.
The stork was startled and dropped me. I fell in the ditch...
...and sank to the bottom where I spent all night without making a move.
- Dug into the mud. - I can smell that, sir!
Sorry, guys. Something went wrong.
- Sita... - Forgot my gym clothes.
Exactly my size.
And I love the color.
Well, well.
Smelling like a wet dog. Arriving too late wearing inappropriate clothes.
We're nearly there, Frans.
I thought: how hard can it be?
Just follow the recipe and if you help me...
You go ahead. I'll tidy up here first.
- Get everything ready. - Bye.
Hey, little girl, tell me what's wrong.
Are you lonely?
I have to go home.
Hey, what's wrong?
We're going to make it pretty with a cone. A cone is just...
a piping bag made out of parchment paper.
...so it doesn't get covered in chocolate.
Sita?
Oh, sweetie. Did [startle you?
My apologies.
Look, I'm almost ready.
Just inflate the tires and you can take it for a spin.
And I got you a raisin bun for during recess.
Hi!
- Hey, Sita, what are you doing here? - Picking you up.
Now you don't have to be scared anymore.
For a stork.
You're my guardian angel.
- How's the Bundt cake coming along? - Failed.
My mom had to work.
I'm making a chick.
Mr. Stork...
Yesterday you said: We're nearly there.
I was wondering...
- Where are we nearly? - Where we should be, Frans.
Without each other.
One more misstep and the school board will fire you.
Frans, are you OK?
- I'm doing everything wrong. - No. I think you're a great teacher.
- My days are counted at The Ark. - Stop it.
What would I do without you?
Boys, girls...
When a teacher makes a lot of mistakes, the school board can fire him.
- Well, you know me. I'm not perfect. - Yes, you are.
Mr. Stork doesn't agree.
Everything I do wrong, he writes down.
Just one more notation and...
...you'll get a new teacher.
If Stork hears this, I'll be fired today.
I want to stay here with you.
But that will only happen if I don't make any mistakes again.
One more notation and I won't even last until the anniversary.
Can you please help me with that?
Got it!
Elementary school The Ark.
Yes, this is Simon Stork.
That's right, I phoned you.
It concerns one of our employees: Mr. Frans.
A bad apple in the fruit basket of The Ark. Completely incompetent for his job.
Dismissal with immediate effect.
Well, I don't like it either.
...being late, being stuck in the toilet bowl.
Muddy hair, weird outfits, smelling, you name it.
And I've kept a record of it.
Sir!
Just a sec, Suzan.
- Sita, not now. - But, sir...
First thing tomorrow, OK?
- But sir, there was a stork at school. - Tomorrow.
Sita, go home. As long as I'm not a thingy, nothing's the matter.
Storks aren't dangerous for teachers. See you tomorrow.
Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit. Frog legs, frog eyes, frog mouth.
- Do frogs have tails? - Stop it, or I'll turn into...
A frog? Frogs are nice.
- A big, fat frog. - Don't think about it. Don't...
Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit. Frog!
Come on.
Frans?
We're home. Stay there.
- What are you doing here? - Hey. Well...
I have currants, nuts, raisins, chocolate.
I'm making a Bundt cake for the first time in my life.
There.
I already greased the cake tin. Now what?
- Put the butter and sugar in a bowl. - OK, butter.
- Sugar. - Mix until soft and creamy.
I have to do my homework.
Come here, sir.
Look, here's a desk.
Or do you want to go on the balcony? You're allowed to.
Sita!
It's ready to put in the oven.
- Want a lick? - No.
How's the homework going?
See you in a minute.
Don't croak in front of my mom.
Look, I have a piano. Want to play the piano?
Don't touch!
That's it! Everyone into their cage, or it's off to bed without dinner.
You understand Bundt cakes, don't you?
Yes.
Are you hot?
Want to go for a swim?
Let's see... It's almost... Look.
- Great, right? See? - Delicious.
- Doing OK? - Yes.
I can tell. You don't have to move the mixer around.
Hey, Ska.
- What are you doing? - It's for school.
Why don't you stay here? Forget about homework for once.
Wouter forgets it too.
- Want a kringle? They're still warm. - First my homework.
Well, well. How do you do that?
Homework first? Do you put something in her food?
- Sir, plunge right in. - This time you went too far.
What are you doing? I can hide a frog, but not a teacher.
You kidnapped me.
- You're completely out of line. - There was a stork.
So then it's dangerous to turn me into a frog.
You, of all people, should know that.
Listen, what you did was wrong.
When I am like that I'm defenseless.
You get that, don't you?
Don't ever do this again.
OK, deal.
I have to rush off.
Someonds waiting for me.
Sita!
Good evening. I'm checking up on the baking. May I?
Sure.
- This is the Bundt cake. - Wonderful.
And the cupcakes.
Excellent.
Outstanding.
- Extremely delicious. - Cookie?
They're shortbread. Wonderful.
It's brilliant. Ladies, you're baking belongs to the best of the best.
- A kringle? - I have to move on, unfortunately.
I know enough.
- A sweetheart. That's what he is. - I wish I had a teacher like that.
Thanks so much.
Look, the Bundt cake.
Your teacher was here to sample the treats.
The teacher is a frog.
He really is.
Sita, you're too big for these kinds of fairy tales.
- He really is... - He's greedy and a glutton, sure...
He really knows how to enjoy himself. He thought this was excellent. Here.
It's going to be a lot of fun tomorrow. I'm sure of it.
Good morning. Wake up. We have a busy day ahead of us.
Mom, I feel sick.
What's wrong?
- Tummy ache, headache, sore throat? - Everything hurts.
Well...
I'll make you better with an aspirin.
- Sick to my stomach. - Sweetie, then you'll miss the anniversary.
Well...
I'll quickly bring everything to your teacher and when I get back I'll make you some toast.
Keep warm, OK? I'll be right back.
Cecile, hi!
I was wondering where you were. Is everything still in one piece?
Ah, wonderful! Great. Put it over there.
- Where's Sita? - She's at home. She's sick.
- Sick? - That's too bad.
Yeah, she was really looking forward to this.
I missed you.
- I'm so happy Sita goes to a good school. - Right.
- Have you seen Simon? - No.
He's not here and not at school. I think that's weird.
I think it's peaceful.
My little silly-billy seems tough, but she has too much imagination.
For instance, she thinks you're actually a frog.
She loves frogs. Frogs-this, frogs-that. It's all about frogs with her.
She used to love cats, but that's changed.
All she thinks about are frogs.
- Are you feeling OK? - Yeah.
You look a bit...
I'll go and get a glass of water.
Oh, no. Not now.
I have to give a speech for the anniversary.
Frans?
Are you sick again?
Where's Mr. Frans?
Where's the teacher?
- Where's the teacher? - Inside.
- S“? - Ska, you shank! be "m bed.
Where's Mr. Frans?
Sir, come here. Come here, sir.
Where's your fly?
Stay calm, guys.
- Stay calm, stay calm. - Throw a net.
Everything will be alright, stay calm.
That animal is dangerous. It has to go outside. Open those doors!
Don't. You'll just frighten him more.
He has to go!
Mom, he wants to eat my teacher!
Take it easy.
Easy.
Where's Mr. Frans?
Find him! Come on!
Sita, stop it. Now! This is not the time for wild imaginations.
Let me go!
Come on. Hurry. Everyone!
Close those doors.
Ska, come'.!
Here!
There, there, boy. Calm down, OK? Everything will be fine.
I know a lovely female who will be very happy to see you.
And then you'll never be alone anymore.
And you'll be in a cage for the rest of your life.
There.
Not for the rest of his life, because as soon as the female is better...
...I'll release both of them.
Everything will be fine.
Look, I have a fly.
Form a circle.
Guys, leave that frog alone.
Guys...
Gosh.
What time is it? We have to hurry. Stork will be here in a minute.
Sir, Stork won't be here. Ever again.
What are we waiting for? We have to dress up.
The ark is leaving soon.
Sita...
I didn't know.
That your teacher can change into a frog.
But I told you.
Yeah.
Yes, you did and I...
I didn't listen. It was...
You're never there for me.
I'm going to do things differently.
Animals are important, but...
...you're the most important to me.
What if an animal breaks its leg?
I'll ask Thomas to make a splint.
He can't.
I wasn't able to make a Bundt cake.
- My little silly-billy. - You're the one who's a silly-billy.
Delicious.
MISTER FROG