SAMMAKOT KUNINGASTA HALUAMASSA
by Aesop · from Aisopoksen satuja : $b 56 eläintarinaa
Adapted Version
Many frogs lived in a big, green pond. They were free. They could do anything. But the frogs were not happy. They had no boss.
The frogs talked together. "We need a king!" they said. They asked Jupiter for help. Jupiter was a big god. He was very powerful.
Jupiter heard the frogs. He smiled a little. He picked up a big log. Splash! He threw it into the pond. The Log King was here. It was their new king.
The log made a big splash. It made a loud noise. The frogs were very scared. They jumped into the mud. They hid under the water. They stayed hidden for a time.
One frog was brave. It looked out slowly. It saw the big log. The log did not move. It was just wood. The frog was not scared. It called its friends.
The frogs came out. They saw the Log King. It was still. It did nothing. The frogs were not scared now. They thought the log was silly. They jumped on its back.
The frogs were not happy. "This king is too quiet!" they said. "He does nothing at all." They wanted a king who acted. They asked Jupiter again. "Send a better king!" they cried.
Jupiter heard the frogs. He was not happy now. He sent a new king. It was a big, tall stork. The Stork King had long legs. It had a very long beak.
The Stork King was very active. It walked in the pond. It looked for frogs. The frogs were very scared. They hid all the time. The pond was not safe. Some frogs were not seen. They were gone forever.
The frogs were very sad. They were very scared. They cried to Jupiter. "Please send a kind king!" they begged. "We need a good king!"
Jupiter said, "No." "You asked for a king." "Now you have one." "Be happy with what you have." The frogs learned a hard lesson.
Original Story
SAMMAKOT KUNINGASTA HALUAMASSA
Ennen muinoin, kun sammakot elelivät vallattomina ja vapaina järvissä ja viimein kyllästyivät olemaan vailla hallitusta, johtui niiden mieleen pyytää Jupiterilta kuningasta siinä tarkoituksessa, että tehtäisiin edes jotakin eroa hyvän ja pahan välillä, noudattamalla joitakin kohtuullisia sääntöjä ja keinoja palkitsemisessa ja rankaisemisessa. Jupiter tiesi hyvinkin, kuinka turhamielisiä ne olivat, ja paiskasi niille taivaasta hallitsijaksi ison pölkyn. Kun se mäiskähti veteen, säikähti sammakoiden koko lauma niin, että kiireimmiten lymysi mutaan. Tämä hirveä pelko piti niitä alallaan jonkun aikaa, mutta vihdoin muuan sammakko, muita rohkeampi, pisti esille päänsä ja katseli ympärilleen, kuinka uusi kuningas jaksoi. Sitten se kutsui alamaistoverinsa koolle ja selitti, kuinka oli asian laita. Entisen kauhun sijalle tuli nyt julkeus ja kapina, ja sammakot häpäisivät pölkkykuningastaan niin, että kapusivat sen selkään. »Tämä kuningas», sanottiin, »on liian laimea; pitääpä pyytää Jupiteria lähettämään toinen.» Näin tapahtuikin, mutta kertojat ovat eri mieltä siitä, annettiinko sammakoille haikara vai käärme. Kumpi tahansa se oli, se ainakin on varmaa, että uusi kuningas ei antanut niiden pitää vapauttaan eikä omaisuuttaan, vaan otti alamaiset saaliikseen. Lopulta kävi tila niin tukalaksi, että sammakot lähettivät Merkuriuksen vielä kerran pyytämään Jupiterilta uutta kuningasta, mutta vastaus oli tällainen: »Niiden, jotka eivät tyydy hyviin oloihinsa, täytyy kärsiä, jos asiat menevätkin hullusti, ja parempi on pysyä alallaan kuin umpimähkään rehkiä omaksi tuhokseen.»
Story DNA
Moral
Be content with what you have, for in seeking change, you might find something far worse.
Plot Summary
Initially living freely, a group of frogs grows tired of their lack of government and asks Jupiter for a king. Jupiter sends them a log, which at first frightens them, but they soon realize it's harmless and mock its passivity. Dissatisfied, they ask for a stronger king, so Jupiter sends a predatory stork or snake that devours them. When the suffering frogs beg for another change, Jupiter refuses, stating they must endure the consequences of not being content with their original good fortune.
Themes
Emotional Arc
complacency to fear to arrogance to suffering
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's Fables are a collection of fables credited to Aesop, a slave and storyteller believed to have lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 564 BCE. They are characterized by anthropomorphic animal characters and a concise moral lesson.
Plot Beats (11)
- The frogs, living freely in a pond, grow tired of their anarchic state.
- They decide to ask Jupiter, the king of the gods, for a ruler to establish order.
- Jupiter, amused by their request, throws a large log into their pond as their new king.
- The splash and impact of the log initially terrify the frogs, causing them to hide in the mud.
- Eventually, one brave frog peeks out, realizes the log is harmless, and calls the others.
- The frogs become emboldened, mock the 'lazy' log-king, and even climb on its back.
- Dissatisfied with their passive ruler, they send another petition to Jupiter, asking for a more active king.
- Jupiter, annoyed, sends a predatory bird (a stork) or a snake as their new king.
- The new king immediately begins to hunt and devour the frogs, causing widespread terror and loss of life.
- The remaining frogs, now desperate and suffering, send a final plea to Jupiter for a different king.
- Jupiter refuses, telling them that those who are not content with their good fortune must suffer the consequences of their foolish desires.
Characters
The Frogs
Small, plump amphibians with smooth, moist, olive-green skin, bulging golden eyes, and long, powerful hind legs adapted for jumping and swimming. They have webbed feet and a wide mouth.
Attire: None, they are naked amphibians.
Wants: To have a ruler and a structured society, believing it will bring order and justice, but primarily driven by a desire for change and a perceived improvement in their lives.
Flaw: Their inability to appreciate their current good fortune, their impulsiveness, and their tendency to complain and demand more, leading to worse outcomes.
They start in a state of contented freedom, become discontent, demand a ruler, are given a benign one which they reject, then receive a tyrannical one, and finally learn a harsh lesson about appreciating what they have.
Fickle, discontent, easily frightened, demanding, and ultimately foolish. They are initially fearful but quickly grow arrogant and rebellious.
Jupiter
A powerful, imposing male figure of immense stature, with a muscular build and a commanding presence. His skin is fair, and his features are strong and classical.
Attire: Flowing, regal robes of deep purple or crimson, made of rich, heavy fabric, draped over one shoulder, revealing a powerful chest. Adorned with subtle gold embroidery and a laurel wreath upon his head.
Wants: To maintain cosmic order and teach mortals (or in this case, animals) the consequences of their actions and discontent.
Flaw: None explicitly shown; his actions are always deliberate and serve a purpose.
Remains consistent as the powerful, wise, and somewhat detached arbiter of the frogs' fate.
Wise, powerful, somewhat amused by mortal folly, just, and ultimately firm. He grants wishes but also teaches harsh lessons.
The Log King
A large, rough-hewn log, heavy and waterlogged, with bark still clinging to its surface. It is cylindrical, dark brown, and appears inert.
Attire: None, it is a log.
Wants: None, as it is an inanimate object.
Flaw: Its complete lack of agency or ability to rule.
Remains an inert object, serving as a symbol of benign neglect.
Passive, inert, harmless, and silent. It offers no governance or interaction.
The Stork King (or Snake King)
If a stork: A tall, elegant bird with long, slender red legs, a long neck, and a large, pointed red beak. Its plumage is predominantly white with black flight feathers. If a snake: A long, sinuous reptile with scales, possibly a constrictor or venomous, with keen eyes and a predatory demeanor.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To feed itself and exert its natural dominance over the frogs.
Flaw: None explicitly stated; it is a powerful predator.
Remains consistent as a terrifying and destructive ruler.
Predatory, tyrannical, cruel, and self-serving. It rules through fear and consumption.
Mercury
A slender, agile young man with a youthful, athletic build. He has fair skin and quick, intelligent features.
Attire: A short, light tunic, typically in shades of blue or purple, made of fine, flowing fabric. He wears winged sandals (talaria) and often carries a caduceus.
Wants: To faithfully execute Jupiter's commands and deliver messages.
Flaw: None explicitly shown; he is a divine messenger.
Remains consistent as Jupiter's messenger.
Swift, efficient, obedient, and a skilled messenger. He is neutral in his delivery of messages.
Locations
The Lake
A freshwater lake, likely in a temperate climate, with muddy banks and abundant aquatic vegetation where frogs live freely. The water is deep enough for a large log to make a significant splash.
Mood: Initially peaceful and free, then startled, then contemptuous, finally desperate and fearful.
The frogs initially live here, receive their first king (the log), and later suffer under their second, predatory king.