Be content with what you have, for the alternative may be far worse.

What is the origin of this fable?

Attributed to Aesop, this fable has been widely cited in political philosophy since ancient times.

What does the log symbolize?

The log represents weak, ineffective leadership — harmless but also useless.

What does the stork symbolize?

The stork represents tyrannical leadership — powerful and active, but destructive.

How is this fable relevant to modern politics?

It warns against trading freedom for the promise of order.

Fables

#ATU 44

The Frogs Who Desired a King

#Leadership

#Contentment

#Consequences

What is The Frogs Who Desired a King?

Frogs dissatisfied with freedom ask for a king, only to receive a stork that devours them.

The Frogs Who Desired a King - Fables fairy tale

Available Variants

Greece, Europe

At a Glance

Europe / Greece

ATU 44

4 min read

Easy

Leadership

Contentment

Consequences

Key Takeaways

1.Be careful what you wish for — the alternative to freedom may be far worse
2.People often do not appreciate what they have until they lose it
3.Good governance requires wisdom, not just authority

The Frogs Who Desired a King

Annotations Enabled

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.