ŻABY I ICH KRÓLE
by Adam Mickiewicz · from Bajki
Adapted Version
Long ago, a group of frogs lived. They lived in a big pond.
The Frogs lived free. They had no rules. They did what they wanted. They felt bored. They were not happy. They wanted a king.
Other creatures had kings. The Frogs saw this. They saw birds with kings. They saw fish with kings. They wanted a king too. They asked Sky God for a king. Sky God was a big god.
Sky God heard the Frogs. Sky God was strong. He listened to them. He gave them a king. The king was a log. It was a small log.
The Log fell down. It made a big splash. The water moved. The pond shook. The Frogs were scared. They hid. They did not move. They were very quiet.
One day passed. The Frogs looked at The Log. The Log just floated. It did nothing. It did not move. It was not scary. The Frogs knew this. The Frogs felt brave.
The Frogs jumped on The Log. They played on it. They sat on its back. They did not like this king. This king was weak. They wanted a strong king. They wanted a better king. They asked Sky God again.
Sky God heard the Frogs. He was not sad. He was angry. He sent a new king. He sent an other king. The new king was The Snake.
The Snake came. It moved quickly. It was very mean. It was a bad king. It scared the big Frogs. It made them sad. They were very afraid.
The Snake scared the small Frogs. It found them fast. They were not busy. It made them sad too. No Frog was safe. The Snake was mean to all.
The Snake scared the loud Frogs. It scared the quiet Frogs. It was always hungry. It never stopped. No Frog was safe. The Snake was mean to all.
The Snake stayed king. It was always mean. It was a bad king. It made the Frogs scared. It made them sad all day. The Frogs cried often. The Frogs were very sad.
The Frogs cried. They were very sad. They begged for help. They were so scared. They wanted a new king. They asked Sky God again. They asked him to help.
Sky God did not help. Sky God was firm. He said no more. He did not send a king. The Frogs were still sad. They had a mean king. They learned a lesson. The Frogs were sad. New kings are not always better. Be wise what you wish for!
Original Story
ŻABY i ICH KRÓLE.
Rzeczpospolita żabska wodami i lądem
Szerzyła się od wieków, a stalą nierządem.
Tam każda obywatelka,
Mała, czy wielka,
Gdzie chciała, mogła skakać,
Karmić się i ikrzyć
Ten zbytek swobód w końcu zaczynał się przykrzyć.
Zauważyły, że sąsiednie państwa
Używają pod królmi rządnego poddaństwa,
Że lew panem czworonogów,
Orzeł nad ptaki,
U pszczół jest królowa ula;
A więc w krzyk do Jowisza:
„Królu! ojcze Bogów,
Dajże i nam króla—króla!”
Powolny bóg wszechżabstwu na króla użycza
Małego jako Łokiet Kija Kijowicza.
Spadł Kij i pluskiem wszemu obwieścił się błotu.
Struchlały żaby na ten majestat łoskotu.
Milczą, dzień i noc, ledwie śmiejąc dychać,
Nazajutrz jedna drugiej pytają: „Co słychać?
Czy niema co od króla?” Aż śmielsze i starsze
Ruszają przed oblicze stawić się monarsze.
Zrazu zdala, w bojaźni, by się nie narazić;
Potem, przemógłszy te strachy,
Brat za brat z królem biorą się pod pachy
I zaczynają na kark mu włazić.
„Toż to taki ma być król?... Najjaśniejszy Bela,
Nie wiele z niego będziem mieć wesela;
Król, co po karku bezkarnie go gładzim,
Niechaj nam abdykuje zaraz, niedołęga!
Potrzebna nam jest władza, ale władza tęga!”
Bóg, gdy ta nowa skargażab, niebo przebija,
Zdegradował króla Kija,
A zamianował węża królem żabim.
Ten pełzacz, pływacz i biegacz,
Podsłuchiwacz i dostrzegacz,
Wszędzie wziera pod wodę, pod kamienie, pod pnie,
Wszędzie szuka nadużyć i karze okropnie.
Arystokracja naprzód gryziona jest żabia,
Że się nadyma i zbyt się utłuszcza;
Gryziony potom chudy lud, że nie zarabia
I że się na dno biedy opuszcza;
Gryzione są krzykacze, że wrzeszczą namiętnie,
Gryzieni cisi, że śmią siedzieć obojętnie.
Tak gryząc je swobodnie, wąż do dziś dnia hula,
A rzeczpospolita żab bolesnemi skwierki
Do dziś dnia woła o innego króla,
Lecz bóg niechce się więcej mieszać w jej rozterki.
Story DNA
Moral
Be careful what you wish for, as the consequences of demanding change without clear foresight can be worse than the original situation.
Plot Summary
The frog republic, tired of their centuries of chaotic freedom, petitions Jupiter for a king. Jupiter grants them a log, which initially frightens them but is soon disrespected due to its passivity. Dissatisfied, the frogs demand a stronger ruler, prompting Jupiter to send a snake. The snake, a tyrannical ruler, relentlessly bites and punishes all frogs, regardless of their status or actions. The suffering frogs cry out for another king, but Jupiter refuses to intervene further, leaving them to their self-inflicted misery.
Themes
Emotional Arc
complacency to fear to suffering
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Adam Mickiewicz was a key figure in Polish Romanticism, and his fables often carried political or social commentary relevant to Poland's situation under foreign partitions.
Plot Beats (13)
- The frog republic has existed for ages with complete freedom, but this freedom eventually becomes tiresome.
- The frogs observe neighboring states with kings and decide they want one too, petitioning Jupiter.
- Jupiter, obliging, sends them a small log (King Log) as their monarch.
- The log falls with a splash, initially terrifying the frogs into silence.
- After a day, the frogs cautiously approach the log, realizing it is harmless.
- They grow bold, disrespecting the log king by climbing on it and demanding a stronger ruler.
- Jupiter, hearing their new complaints, replaces the log with a snake.
- The snake immediately begins to bite and punish the frog aristocracy for being fat.
- It then bites the poor frogs for being idle.
- It bites the loud frogs for being noisy and the quiet frogs for being indifferent.
- The snake continues its reign of terror, biting frogs freely.
- The frogs, now suffering immensely, cry out to Jupiter for another king.
- Jupiter refuses to intervene again, leaving the frogs to their self-inflicted misery.
Characters
Żaby (The Frogs)
Varying sizes, from small to large, with smooth, moist, green-brown skin, prominent bulging eyes, and powerful hind legs adapted for jumping and swimming. Their bodies are generally plump.
Attire: None, as they are frogs.
Wants: To have a king who provides 'governed subjection' like neighboring states, believing it will bring order and happiness. Later, they want a 'strong' ruler, and finally, relief from tyranny.
Flaw: Fickleness, inability to govern themselves, and a tendency to blame external factors rather than taking responsibility. They don't know what they truly want or need.
They start in chaotic freedom, demand a king, reject the first mild king, demand a strong king, get a tyrannical one, and end up suffering under the very 'strong' rule they desired, with no further help from the gods.
Initially chaotic and self-indulgent, then fearful, then demanding, ungrateful, and ultimately suffering. They are prone to complaining and seeking external solutions to their problems.
Jowisz (Jupiter)
A powerful, majestic, and ancient deity, often depicted with a robust build and an aura of authority. His form is imposing, reflecting his status as king of the gods.
Attire: Flowing, classical robes of deep purple or gold, made of fine, heavy fabric, draped elegantly over one shoulder, revealing a powerful physique. Perhaps a golden sash.
Wants: To respond to the prayers of his subjects, but also to teach them a lesson about governance and responsibility.
Flaw: Perhaps a degree of impatience with constant complaints, leading him to wash his hands of the situation.
He begins as a responsive deity, grants the frogs' wishes twice, and then withdraws his intervention, leaving them to their fate.
Initially benevolent and accommodating, then increasingly exasperated and ultimately indifferent to the frogs' plight. He is a god who grants wishes but also allows consequences.
Kij Kijowicz (The Log)
A small, rough, cylindrical piece of wood, resembling a log or a stick. It is unadorned and appears natural, perhaps with some bark still attached.
Attire: None, as it is an inanimate object.
Wants: None, as it is an inanimate object.
Flaw: Its complete lack of agency or ability to rule.
It arrives, causes initial fear due to its splash, then is quickly dismissed and 'degraded' by the frogs for its uselessness.
Passive, inert, and completely unresponsive. It embodies absolute non-governance.
Wąż (The Snake)
A long, slender, and agile snake, likely dark or mottled green/brown to blend with its environment. Its body is muscular, allowing it to move swiftly on land and in water. It has a menacing, predatory appearance.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To exercise its power, to punish perceived abuses, and to satisfy its predatory nature by consuming the frogs.
Flaw: Its own insatiable cruelty and lack of mercy, which causes constant suffering.
It is introduced as a new king and immediately establishes a reign of terror, which continues indefinitely.
Tyrannical, predatory, watchful, and indiscriminately cruel. It enjoys its power and uses it to 'bite' and punish all, regardless of their status or actions.
Locations
The Frog Republic's Waters and Land
A vast, ancient wetland ecosystem, encompassing both open water bodies and surrounding land, characterized by its long-standing, chaotic self-governance. It's a place where every frog, big or small, could leap, feed, and spawn wherever it pleased.
Mood: Initially chaotic and free-spirited, later becoming discontent and clamorous.
The primary setting for the entire fable, where the frogs live in their 'republic' and eventually demand a king.
The Muddy Pond/Swamp
A specific, muddy part of the frog republic's waters where the first king, 'Kij Kijowicz,' a small log, falls with a splash, announcing his arrival. This is where the frogs initially gather in awe and later become overly familiar with their new ruler.
Mood: Initially awe-struck and silent, then shifting to familiarity and ultimately contempt.
The arrival of the first king, the frogs' initial fear, and their subsequent realization of his weakness, leading to their second complaint.