The Frogs Who Wanted A King

: FABLES
: Boys And Girls Bookshelf

In old times when the Frogs swam at ease through the ponds and lakes,

they grew tired of their tame mode of life. They thought they would like

some kind of change, so they all met and with much noise prayed to Jove

to send them a King. Jove and all the gods laughed loud at the Frogs,

and with a view to please them he threw to them a log, and said, "There

is a King for you!" The loud fall of the log made a great splash in the
br /> lake, which sent a thrill through all the Frogs; and it was long ere

they dared to take a peep at their new lord and King. At length some of

the more brave swam to him, and they were soon followed by the rest; and

when they saw that he did not move but lay quite still, they leaped upon

his back, and sprang and sang on him, and cried out that he was no King

but a log. Such a King did not at all please them; so they sent a fresh

prayer to Jove to beg him for a King who had some life, and would move.

Then Jove sent a Stork, and said he thought this would suit them. The

Stork had but just come to the Frogs than he set to work to eat them up

as fast as he could. Of course the Frogs did not like this new King even

as well as King Log, and they sent at once to Jove and prayed to him to

take away the Stork. They would rather have no King at all than all be

eaten up. But Jove would not grant their prayer this time. "No," said

he, "it was your own wish, and if you will be so vain and foolish, you

must pay the cost." It is better to bear the ills we have than fly to

those we know not of.