Fables

The Frogs Desiring a King

THE FROGS were living as happy as could be in a marshy swamp that just suited them; they went splashing about caring for nobody and nobody troubling with them. But some of them thought that this was not right, that they should have a king and a proper constitution, so they determined to send up a petition to Jove to give them what they wanted. “Mighty Jove,” they cried, “send unto us a king that will rule over us and keep us in order.” Jove laughed at their croaking, and threw down into the swamp a huge Log, which came down—kerplash—into the swamp. The Frogs were frightened out of their lives by the commotion made in their midst, and all rushed to the bank to look at the horrible monster; but after a time, seeing that it did not move, one or two of the boldest of them ventured out towards the Log, and even dared to touch it; still it did not move. Then the greatest hero of the Frogs jumped upon the Log and commenced dancing up and down upon it, thereupon all the Frogs came and did the same; and for some time the Frygs went about their business every day without taking the slightest notice of their new King Log lying in their midst. But this did not suit them, so they sent another petition to Jove, and said to him, “We want a real king; one that will really rule over us.” Now this made Jove angry, so he sent among them a big Stork that soon set to work gobbling them all up. Then the Frogs repented when too late.

“BETTER NO RULE THAN CRUEL RULE.”

Interpretations and Insights:

“The Frogs Desiring a King” is a fable that discusses the desire for change without understanding the consequences, the dangers of discontentment, and the perils of desiring powerful leadership without considering potential misuse of power.

  1. Consider the Consequences: The main lesson of this fable is to think through the potential outcomes before desiring a change. The frogs initially desired a king, but they did not consider what kind of king they might receive and the consequences of having a powerful ruler.

  2. Be Content: The fable also imparts the lesson that it’s often better to be content with what one has rather than yearning for something that could lead to worse outcomes. The frogs were living happily, but they still wanted a king, leading to their doom.

Hidden Insights:

  1. Understand What You Ask For: The frogs wanted a king, but they didn’t specify what kind of king they desired. This suggests that it’s important not just to know what you want, but to understand it fully.

  2. Irresponsible Leadership: This fable can also serve as a critique of irresponsible leadership. The log did not rule, and the stork ruled cruelly. The fable implies that leadership should be exercised responsibly and not lead to the harm of the subjects.

  3. Unpredictability of Change: The change that the frogs desire (a new king) does not bring the improvement they hope for, but rather, it brings destruction. This teaches us that change can be unpredictable and not always beneficial.

  4. Democracy vs Tyranny: On a deeper level, this story illustrates the contrast between democratic self-rule (represented by the frogs’ initial state) and tyranny (represented by the stork). The frogs, initially in a state of autonomy, opted for a form of monarchy without understanding the risk of ending up with a tyrant.

  5. Misuse of Power: This story underlines the perils of power misuse. When the frogs asked for a ‘real’ king, they received a stork, a figure that exploited its power to harm them. This warns about the potential for those in positions of power to abuse it, especially if unchecked.

  6. Beware of Unintended Consequences: This fable serves as a cautionary tale about the law of unintended consequences. The frogs’ wish for a king was granted, but it resulted in their own destruction, emphasizing that actions can lead to unforeseen and potentially harmful outcomes.

  7. Hasty Decisions: The story points out the dangers of making hasty decisions. The frogs hastily asked for a king without considering the potential outcomes. The adverse result serves as a lesson in the importance of deliberation before making significant decisions.

Additional Interpretations and Insights:

  1. Appreciation of Current State: The frogs didn’t value their peaceful and contented life in the swamp until it was too late. This fable could be seen as highlighting the importance of appreciating one’s current circumstances instead of seeking change for the sake of change.

  2. Risk of Ambition: The frogs’ ambition to have a king led to their ruin. This can be interpreted as a warning against unchecked ambition that doesn’t consider the potential risks and downsides.

  3. Humility and Divine Will: The frogs’ continuous pleas to Jove could be seen as an attempt to manipulate divine will to suit their desires. The tragic end they meet can be interpreted as a message about the importance of humility and accepting the natural order of things.