003. THE FROGS DESIRING A KING. The frogs, living an easy, free life, everywhere among the lakes and ponds, assembled together one day in a very tumultuous manner, and petitioned Jupiter to let them have a king, who might inspect their morals, and make them live a little honester.
Jupiter being at that time in pretty good humour, was pleased to laugh heartily at their ridiculous request, and throwing a little log down into the pool, cried, “There is a king for you.” The sudden splash which this made by its fall into the water, at first terrified them so exceedingly, that they were afraid to come near it. But, in a little time, seeing it lay still without moving, they ventured, by degrees, to approach it: and at last, finding there was no danger, they leaped upon it, and, in short, treated it as familiarly as they pleased.
But not contented with so insipid a king as this was, they sent their deputies to petition again for another sort of one, for this they neither did nor could like. Upon that he sent them a stork, who, without any ceremony, fell devouring and eating them up, one after another, as fast as he could.
They then applied themselves privately to Mercury, and got him to speak to Jupiter in their behalf; that he would be so good as bless them again with another king, or restore them again to their former state.
No, says he; since it was their own choice, let the obstinate wretches suffer the punishment due to their folly. [more info]
Jupiter being at that time in pretty good humour, was pleased to laugh heartily at their ridiculous request, and throwing a little log down into the pool, cried, “There is a king for you.” The sudden splash which this made by its fall into the water, at first terrified them so exceedingly, that they were afraid to come near it. But, in a little time, seeing it lay still without moving, they ventured, by degrees, to approach it: and at last, finding there was no danger, they leaped upon it, and, in short, treated it as familiarly as they pleased.
But not contented with so insipid a king as this was, they sent their deputies to petition again for another sort of one, for this they neither did nor could like. Upon that he sent them a stork, who, without any ceremony, fell devouring and eating them up, one after another, as fast as he could.
They then applied themselves privately to Mercury, and got him to speak to Jupiter in their behalf; that he would be so good as bless them again with another king, or restore them again to their former state.
No, says he; since it was their own choice, let the obstinate wretches suffer the punishment due to their folly. [more info]
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