The Parable of the Frogs Who Asked for a King | Aesop's Fable

The Parable of the Frogs Who Asked for a King | Aesop's Fable

A rhyming adaptation of Aesop's classic fable about frogs who, dissatisfied with their peaceful pond life, petition Jupiter (Zeus) for a king. When Jupiter sends them a log as king, they initially respect it but soon find it boring and demand a "real" ruler. Jupiter, annoyed by their ingratitude, then sends a stork who begins devouring the frogs one by one. The moral warns against discontent with peaceful governance and the dangers of desiring powerful but potentially tyrannical leadership.

Origin

This parable comes from Aesop's Fables, a collection of stories attributed to Aesop, a storyteller believed to have lived in ancient Greece during the 6th century BCE. The fable "The Frogs Who Desired a King" has been retold in many cultures and was later popularized in Jean de La Fontaine's 17th-century collection. The original tale was often interpreted as a political allegory about the dangers of rejecting peaceful democracy in favor of tyranny.

 

In a lily pad land with no worry or care
The frogs had no boss and breathed easy air
They splashed and they sang and they played in the bog
But one day they said we should vote in a log

We need a fine king the loudest one cried
With crowns and with laws and some national pride
So they croaked to the sky and made a big fuss
Till Jupiter tossed down a log just for us

It splashed with a crash ker thunk in the muck
The frogs dove in

But after a while they squinted their eyes
Why he’s not scary he’s loggish and wise

They leapt on his back they bounced on his head
He doesn’t do much but he’s better they said
Then one old frog said this isn’t a king
It’s driftwood in robes just a meaningless thing

So up went a second request with a plea
Dear Jupiter send us a real majesty
Jupiter sighed you frogs want some thrills
Here’s someone who bites and struts when he kills

The stork came striding with pomp and parade
Now that’s a fine king all the foolish frogs brayed
But one by one with snap and with clack
The stork had them stuffed like frogs in a sack

They croaked out help but the sky stayed still
The king kept feasting with elegant skill
So if you’ve got peace in your pond every spring
Don’t whine to the heavens and ask for a king

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