The Frogs Who Desired a King

The Frogs were living as happy as could be in a marshy swamp, doing exactly as they pleased without anyone to check them. But they grew discontented with their free and easy life. We need a proper king, they said, someone to keep us in order and give us laws. So they petitioned Jupiter to send them a king.

Jupiter, amused by their request, threw down a log into the swamp with a great splash. The Frogs were terrified by the noise and hid in the mud. But when the log just floated there doing nothing, they grew bolder. Soon they were climbing all over it and making fun of it. This king is a fraud, they said. We want a real king.

Jupiter, growing impatient, sent them a Stork. The Stork was no idle log. Day after day, the Stork devoured the Frogs until the swamp was nearly empty. The remaining Frogs sent desperate messages to Jupiter begging for another king, but he refused. You have a king now, he said. Be content with what you have, or next time I will send you something even worse.