The Frogs Asking for a King
by Aesop · from Æsop's Fables
Adapted Version
Many Frogs lived in a big pond. The pond was green. They jumped and played all day.
The Frogs were free. They swam and they hopped. But they were not happy. They felt very bored. They wanted a leader.
The Frogs talked together. They wanted a king. A king could tell them what to do. They asked Jupiter for a king. Jupiter was a big god. He lived in the sky.
Jupiter heard the Frogs. He thought it was funny. He threw a big log. The log fell into the water. It made a big splash. The water moved.
The Frogs were very scared. They hid in the mud. They hid under the water. They did not like the log. It was their new king. It did not move.
One brave Frog looked up. He saw the log. The log did not move. Other Frogs came out. They looked at the log too. They were not scared.
The Frogs came closer. They were not scared. They jumped on the log. They did not care. The log did nothing. It was a silly king.
The Frogs did not like this king. He did nothing. He was a quiet king. They wanted a new king. They asked Jupiter again. They asked for a real king.
Jupiter sent a Stork. The Stork was a big bird. He came to the pond. He caught a Frog. He took the Frog away. He caught another Frog. He caught many Frogs.
The Frogs were very scared. They tried to hide. They jumped and swam fast. The Stork was too quick. He ate many Frogs. The Frogs could not escape.
The Frogs were very sad. They had no king. They needed help. They sent Mercury to Jupiter. Mercury was a fast god. He flew to the sky. He told Jupiter, "Help the Frogs!" "The Stork is eating them!"
Jupiter listened to Mercury. He shook his head. He said, "You made bad choices." "You asked for a king." "You got a log king." "You did not like it." "You asked for a new king." "Now you have the Stork." "Be happy with what you have." "I will not help you now."
Original Story
The Frogs asking for a King
Long ago, when the Frogs were all at liberty in the lakes, and had grown quite weary of following every one his own devices, they assembled one day together and with a great clamour petitioned Jupiter to let them have a king to keep them in better order and make them lead honester lives. Jupiter, knowing their foolishness, smiled at their request, and threw down a log into the lake, which by the huge splash and commotion it made, sent the whole nation of Frogs into the greatest terror and amazement. They rushed under the water and into the mud, and dared not come within a leap's-length of the spot where it lay. At length one Frog bolder than the rest ventured to pop his head above the water, and take a look at their new king from a respectful distance. Presently when they saw the log lie stock-still, others began to swim up to it and around it, till by degrees growing bolder and bolder, they at last leaped upon it and treated it with the greatest contempt. Full of disgust for so tame a ruler, they carried a petition a second time to Jupiter for another and more active King. Upon which he sent them a stork, who had no sooner come among them, than he began laying hold of them, and devouring them one by one as fast as he could, and it was in vain that they tried to escape him. Then they sent Mercury with a private message to Jupiter, begging him to take pity on them once more; but Jupiter replied that they were only suffering the punishment due to their folly, and that another time they would learn to let well alone, and not be dissatisfied with their natural state.
Story DNA
Moral
It is better to let well enough alone than to seek change that may lead to worse outcomes.
Plot Summary
The Frogs, tired of their free but disorderly lives, petition Jupiter for a king. Jupiter, amused, sends them a log, which initially frightens them but is soon treated with contempt. Dissatisfied, they ask for a more active king, so Jupiter sends a stork, who begins to devour them. The Frogs desperately appeal to Jupiter again, but he refuses, stating they are suffering the consequences of their own foolish desire for change.
Themes
Emotional Arc
complacency to terror to regret
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's Fables often used animal characters to satirize human behavior and political situations in ancient Greece.
Plot Beats (11)
- The Frogs, living freely but without order, grow weary of their liberty.
- They assemble and petition Jupiter for a king to govern them and make them lead honester lives.
- Jupiter, amused by their foolishness, throws a log into the lake.
- The log's splash and commotion terrify the Frogs, who hide in fear of their new 'king'.
- Eventually, one bold Frog peeks out, and seeing the log is still, others approach.
- The Frogs grow increasingly bold, eventually leaping upon the log and treating it with contempt.
- Disgusted by their passive ruler, they petition Jupiter a second time for a more active king.
- Jupiter sends a stork, who immediately begins to seize and devour the Frogs one by one.
- The Frogs desperately try to escape the stork, but to no avail.
- They send Mercury to Jupiter, begging for pity and relief from their new, tyrannical king.
- Jupiter replies that they are receiving just punishment for their folly and should have been content with their original state.
Characters
★
The Frogs
Small, green-skinned amphibians with bulging eyes and webbed feet. They are generally plump and have smooth, moist skin. Their size is typical for pond frogs.
Attire: None, as they are wild amphibians.
Wants: To have a king who will bring order and make their lives 'honester', but ultimately to have a ruler that satisfies their ever-changing desires.
Flaw: Their insatiable desire for change and their inability to appreciate their current state, leading to worse outcomes.
They start in a state of liberty, desire a king, receive a passive one, complain, receive a tyrannical one, complain again, and are left to suffer the consequences of their folly.
Fickle, foolish, easily discontented, initially fearful but quickly grow contemptuous, prone to complaining.
◆
Jupiter
A powerful, imposing deity, often depicted with a muscular build and a commanding presence. His form is grand and majestic, reflecting his status as king of the gods.
Attire: Draped in flowing, rich purple or crimson togas made of fine wool or silk, adorned with golden embroidery. He might wear a laurel wreath on his head and golden sandals.
Wants: To maintain cosmic order and teach mortals (or creatures) lessons about contentment and the consequences of their choices.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but perhaps a tendency to allow creatures to learn through harsh experience rather than direct intervention.
Remains consistent, acting as a divine judge and dispenser of consequences.
Wise, powerful, amused by folly, just, firm, somewhat detached.
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The Log
A large, heavy, cylindrical piece of wood, likely from a tree trunk, with rough bark and visible grain. It would appear waterlogged and dark.
Attire: None.
Wants: None, it is an inanimate object.
Flaw: Its complete lack of action or authority.
Initially feared, then ignored and treated with contempt.
Passive, inert, silent, unthreatening.
⚔
The Stork
A tall, elegant wading bird with long, slender legs, a long neck, and a distinctive long, pointed beak. Its plumage is primarily white, with black flight feathers.
Attire: Natural plumage of white feathers with black wingtips.
Wants: To hunt and devour the Frogs for sustenance.
Flaw: None explicitly shown in the story, as it is a natural predator.
Introduced as a king, it immediately begins its predatory role, remaining consistent in its actions.
Predatory, efficient, relentless, unfeeling, tyrannical.
○
Mercury
A youthful and agile deity, slender but athletic. He is known for his speed and is often depicted with winged sandals and a winged helmet.
Attire: A short, light tunic, often in shades of blue or green, allowing for freedom of movement. He wears his iconic winged sandals and a winged cap.
Wants: To carry messages between gods and mortals/creatures as Jupiter's herald.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but his role is to deliver messages, not to alter outcomes.
Appears briefly to deliver a message, his character remains consistent.
Messenger, obedient, swift, perhaps a touch mischievous or neutral.
Locations
The Frogs' Lake
A freshwater lake, likely shallow in parts, with muddy banks and areas for frogs to hide. The water is calm until disturbed.
Mood: Initially peaceful and communal, then fearful, then contemptuous, finally desperate and terrifying.
The frogs gather to petition Jupiter, receive the log-king, then the stork-king, and suffer their fate.