The Frogs Who Wished for a King
The Frogs grow bored and beg Jupiter for a king, so he throws down a quiet log, and soon they are dancing on it. When they complain again, he sends a Stork, a very different king, and the Frogs learn they have only themselves to blame.
Scene 1: Wishing for a King
The Frogs Who Wished for a King. Once there was a pond full of Frogs, and they were free to do just as they pleased. But they grew bored. They sat around all day, croaking and wishing for a king. So they called up to Jupiter, the king of the gods: “Mighty Jupiter, send us a king who will rule over us and keep us in order!”
Scene 2: King Log
Jupiter laughed at their croaking, and he threw down a huge log. It fell into the pond with a great splash! The frightened Frogs hid among the reeds. They thought their new king was some fearful giant. But the log did not move. One by one, the Frogs peeked out again. The boldest Frog jumped up on the log and danced up and down on it. Soon the young Frogs were using King Log for a diving board.
Scene 3: A Real King
But the Frogs soon began to grumble. King Log never did anything at all! So they called up to Jupiter again: “We want a real king, one that will really rule over us!” This made Jupiter angry. So he sent them a Stork to be their king.
Scene 4: King Stork
The Stork came stalking through the pond on his long red legs. He was a very different king from King Log. He began to snap up the Frogs, one after another. The Frogs hid deep in the reeds, and they begged Jupiter to take the cruel king away. But Jupiter answered: “You have what you asked for. You have only yourselves to blame.” Be sure you can better your condition before you seek to change. Or, as another old book says: better no rule than cruel rule.
Moral: Be sure you can better your condition before you seek to change. Better no rule than cruel rule.
Questions about The Frogs Who Wished for a King
What did the bored Frogs wish for?
A king.
What did Jupiter throw down into the pond first?
A huge log.
Where did the frightened Frogs hide after the splash?
Among the reeds.
What did the young Frogs use King Log for?
A diving board.
Who did Jupiter send as the second king?
A Stork.
More stories to read aloud
- The Lion and the Mouse — A Lion catches a little Mouse but laughs and lets her go when she promises to repay him.
- The Hare and the Tortoise — A boastful Hare laughs at the slow Tortoise, so the Tortoise challenges him to a race.
- Belling the Cat — The Mice hold a council and a young Mouse has a clever plan: hang a bell about the Cat’s neck.