The Frogs Desiring a King

: Aesop's Fables

The Frogs were living as happy as could be in a marshy swamp

that just suited them; they went splashing about caring for nobody

and nobody troubling with them. But some of them thought that

this was not right, that they should have a king and a proper

constitution, so they determined to send up a petition to Jove to

give them what they wanted. "Mighty Jove," they cried, "send unto

us a king that will rule over us and
keep us in order." Jove

laughed at their croaking, and threw down into the swamp a huge

Log, which came down splashing into the swamp. The Frogs

were frightened out of their lives by the commotion made in their

midst, and all rushed to the bank to look at the horrible monster;

but after a time, seeing that it did not move, one or two of the

boldest of them ventured out towards the Log, and even dared to

touch it; still it did not move. Then the greatest hero of the

Frogs jumped upon the Log and commenced dancing up and down upon

it, thereupon all the Frogs came and did the same; and for some

time the Frogs went about their business every day without taking

the slightest notice of their new King Log lying in their midst.

But this did not suit them, so they sent another petition to Jove,

and said to him, "We want a real king; one that will really rule

over us." Now this made Jove angry, so he sent among them a big

Stork that soon set to work gobbling them all up. Then the Frogs

repented when too late.



Better no rule than cruel rule.



More

;