The Frog and the Ox
Life in the Pond
Once upon a time, there was a group of frogs who lived in a beautiful pond. They were all very happy to live together. They played almost all the time and helped each other with everything. However, they were not all the same.
The Frogs in the Pond
One frog was the thinnest of them all. She could jump onto the highest stones. Another was the fastest of them all. She could catch her flies before anyone else even saw them. And then, there was Max. He was the biggest frog of them all.
Every day, Max used to eat more than 10 flies and insects for his meal. The other frogs were afraid of him because of his size. But Max loved that kind of attention. He was proud of his size and always laughed at the smaller frogs.
— Oh dear! — You can jump onto the highest stone? So that means you can run faster than bigger animals that will attack you? Good for you! I don't need that ability. Nobody is as big as me! — Do you really think nobody is as big as Max? — How would we know? We've never seen a bigger one.
Because the pond was hidden in the forest, it wasn't visited by many animals coming to drink from it. And so, everyone believed that Max was indeed the biggest on the planet. Max was happy, believing the same thing.
— How lucky I am to be the biggest!
Max's Children's Adventure
Max had four little children. They always played near the pond with the other frogs.
— Hey, let's go play beyond that tree! There are lots of big stones there! — Oh! Better not. Mom told me to play on this side of the pond. — Oh, come on! My dad is the biggest of all creatures. Don't worry. We'll call him if we have trouble. — Um, I don't know. Mom will be mad at me. — Don't worry! If she says anything to you, we'll ask my dad to talk to her. She won't scold you then. — Um, okay. Let's go.
Without wasting any more time, all the children jumped to the other side of the pond, beyond the big tree. They were surprised to see a bigger pond under that tree.
— Oh, look! There's another pond here! I thought there was only one pond on this planet. — Oh! We shouldn't think that. There are many things our eyes don't see. This is a huge planet! — Are we going to keep talking now? Let's play!
They jumped onto the highest stone and one after another, they leaped into the pond causing a loud splash. Suddenly, the ground began to shake.
— Oh no! What's happening here? Why is the ground moving? — Oh dear! We should never have left the pond! We're going to die! — Oh! What's that?
The children were terrified as they saw a strange creature heading towards the pond. It was as tall as the highest stone. Its belly swayed with every movement and it made a strange noise.
The children quickly hopped over the stones to get home, but in all their haste, the little red frog slipped and fell into the pond.
— Oh no! Wait! Run! It's going to eat you!
The Dialogue with the Ox
— What's all this commotion? Who are you all? I've never seen you before. — Oh! Please, big creature! Please don't eat me! — What? Eat you? Why would I eat you? I'm just here to drink water. — Oh, does that mean you won't attack us? — Oh, no! I don't eat frogs. — Then what do you eat? How did you get so big? My dad eats so many insects in a day and yet he's not even half your size. — Your dad? You mean a frog? He can never be as big as me. I was born this size. Every animal has its own size. — Do you mean there are animals even bigger than you? — Of course.
Going Home
The children were surprised to hear that there were animals even bigger than the ox. They stayed there for hours, listening to stories about other animals. Soon, it was night and they had to say goodbye to their new friend.
— Let's go home! I have so much to tell Dad! — Yes, let's go!
Max Learns the Truth
All the children went straight to Max and told him the whole story. The stories were so interesting that all the frogs gathered to listen.
— Oh, my naive little ones! Did you say this Mr. Ox was bigger than me? — Not just that, Daddy! He said there are animals even bigger than him and they come to that pond to drink. — Yes, yes! And he also said you'll never be as big as him. — That's crazy! How can anyone be as big as me? He tricked you. He probably puffed himself up to prove his lies. He is a liar. — Maybe it's true, Max. I always talk to the birds that come to drink water here. I've heard stories about other animals from them. It will be the biggest mistake to think we are the strongest. — That's your biggest mistake, not mine. I am the biggest creature on this planet. That is a fact.
Max's Challenge
— Why don't we wait until morning and find out for ourselves? The children said these huge animals go there to drink water. We'll go there in the morning and find out the truth.
The crowd agreed, but Max was furious. He had to prove he was the biggest of them all. If not, he thought, no one would respect him anymore.
— No! We're deciding this now! No one will trick my children. That Mr. Ox thought he would get away with his lies. How dare he say I'll never be as big as him!
The Dangerous Swelling
Max stretched his back and stood straight. Then he puffed up his stomach. He doubled in size.
— Tell me, was he this big? — No, bigger, Daddy!
Max puffed up his stomach even more.
— Tell me, was he this big? — No, bigger! Max, you shouldn't do this. Every animal has a different ability. I'm sure that with his big size, Mr. Ox can't jump like we do. — Yes, Max, you have to stop. You'll hurt yourself.
But Max wasn't willing to give up. He couldn't listen to his friends' advice. He only heard: big as an ox. And that's what he wanted to become. Ignoring everyone, he puffed up his stomach even more.
— Was he this big? — No, Daddy, bigger!
Max's back was now arched and he puffed up a little more.
— Was he this big? — Bigger!
Max turned blue in the face and bent even more. Now his eyes were popping out of their sockets.
— Was he this big? — Max, stop! You'll hurt yourself! — Tell me, was he this big? — No, Daddy, bigger!
The frog was right. Max was in pain. His back was arched, his eyes were popping out, and his stomach hurt from how much he had puffed up, but he didn't give up. He had to prove he was the biggest of them all. He took a deep breath and puffed up a little more.
— Was he this...
The Tragic End and the Moral
— No, Daddy! No, Daddy! No, Daddy! No, Daddy!
But it was too late. Max's stomach exploded. He had puffed up far beyond his body's capacity. His children were crying. They were all very sad.
— Max, my dear friend, if only you had listened to us!
We are all great in our own way. Never try to be someone else.
