Representations of Toads and Frogs in popular culture

Poor old toads get such a bad wrap. Think of depictions of toads in society, literature, old wives tales. Have you ever seen a toad play "the good guy"?

Some examples of this are:

• Mr Toad from Kenneth Graeme's "The Wind in the Willows". The book tells the story of 4 anthropomorphic characters, one of which is a Toad, the wealthiest character and owner of Toad Hall. Although good-natured, Toad is impulsive and conceited, eventually imprisoned for theft, dangerous driving and impertinence to the rural police. He is prone to obsessions and crazes, such as punting, houseboating, and horse-drawn caravans, each of which in turn he becomes bored with and drops. Several chapters of the book chronicle his escape from prison, disguised as a washer-woman.
• Tiddalik the frog, a legend from the dreamtime mythology of Indigenous Australians. In the legend, Tiddalik awoke one morning with an unquenchable thirst, and began to drink until all the fresh water was greedily consumed. Creatures and plant life everywhere began to die due to lack of moisture. Other animals conspired against Tiddalik, and devised a plan for him to release all of the water he had consumed. This was successfully coordinated by a wise old Wombat, when Nabunum the eel made Tiddalik laugh when he tied himself in comical shapes. As Tiddalik laughed, the water rushed out of him to replenish the lakes, swamps and rivers. The legend of Tiddalik is not only an important story of the Dreamtime, but has been the subject of popular modern children's books. In some Aboriginal cultures, Tiddalik is known as "Molok". (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiddalik)
• The use of the cane toad as a mascot for the Queensland State of Origin rugby league team. http://www.more.nsw.gov.au/news/state-origin-stop-march-cane-toad
• In an episode of "The Simpsons", entitled Bart Vs Australia, the invasive nature of the cane toad is referenced when Bart releases his pet frog into the wild, which multiplies at an exponential rate.

• It is a common old wives tale that handling a toad will result in a person getting warts on their hands. This originated since the toad's own skin is bumpy and appears to have warts on it. However, warts are caused by a type of virus and handling a toad cannot give you warts. Another old wives tale thought to cure thrush was to hold a live frog with its head in the patient's mouth. As it breathed, so it drew the disease away and into itself. The dried body of a frog worn in a silk bag around the neck was also thought to avert epilepsy and other fits.

• The author Morris Gleitzman has written numerous books of toad comedy and adventure. Have you read any of his books? This one, Toad Rage, is an epic story of a slightly squashed young cane toad's quest for the truth about a missing friend.

• Humorous videos such as "What happened to Baz?" (viewer discretion advised - language / scenes that may upset)

• And then there are the lovely frogs from childhood stories...

Can you think of any other depictions of frogs or toads in popular culture, either positive or negative?