Aesop
|
Greece

The Frog and The Ox

Little frog tells his father about a scary beast, the father tries to prove it's just an ox, but he bursts in the process.
Pride
Acceptance
Wisdom
Aesop's Fables - The Frog and The Ox
Audio available for B1 version

A long time ago, there was a little frog who hopped up to his father, his eyes wide with fear. "Father," he croaked, "I have just seen a scary beast! It was as huge as a mountain, with points on its head, a long tail, and it had feet split in two."

"Hmm," the old frog responded, a little amused. "That's no monster, little one. That's just an ox from the farm. And it's not so big. Perhaps a bit taller than me, but I can puff myself up just as wide. Watch this." And with that, the old frog took a deep breath, puffing himself up until his belly ballooned out. "Was it as big as this?" he asked.

"No, father," the little frog replied, shaking his head. "It was much, much bigger."

The old frog took another deep breath, puffing himself up even more. "How about now?" he asked, his voice a little strained.

"Bigger, father, bigger!" the little frog insisted.

So, the old frog, determined to prove his point, took the deepest breath he could. He blew and blew, and his body swelled and swelled. "There's no way the ox is as big as this," he declared with confidence. But at that very moment, the old frog burst.

Once upon a time, right next to a puddle where frogs had wild dance parties, a little frog hopped up to his dad, eyes bugging out like he'd seen a cookie jar on the top shelf and couldn't reach it. "Dad! Dad!" the young frog yelled, hopping madly. "I saw something HUGE! It was taller than the biggest rock, had things on its head, and a tail longer than the biggest worm ever!"

His dad, always up for a laugh, smiled cheekily and said, "Oh, kiddo! That's not a dragon or a unicorn. That's just an ox. He probably got lost looking for the farm dance-off. Watch me now!"

With that, Dad Frog took a big breath, puffing up like a balloon. "So, was it this big? Am I ox-material now?" he asked, trying to look all cool and mighty.

His son shook his head, giggling. "No, Dad! That ox was even bigger—like, castle big!"

Not wanting to be outdone, Dad Frog puffed up even more, like a big, round beach ball. "Well, how about now? Could I join the ox's club?"

"Even bigger, Dad! Keep going!" the little frog cheered.

Feeling like he could be the biggest thing in the pond, Dad Frog sucked in a HUGE breath. He grew and grew until... "BOOM!" he popped, just like a bubble in bath time.

And that's how the pond learned that being big is fun, but being yourself is even better. And maybe, just maybe, don't try to outsize an ox.

Once upon a playful day,
A young frog hopped, filled with dismay.
"Father, Father!" his voice did shake,
"I saw a beast, make no mistake!"

With points on its head and a tail so long,
Feet split in two, it was so strong!
Huge like a mountain, that’s how it seemed,
I was so scared, I almost screamed!"

The old frog chuckled, his wisdom to show,
"That's just an ox, as far as I know.
Not that huge, not really wide,
Let me show you," and his chest he pried.

He puffed up once, then asked with glee,
"Is this how big the ox might be?"
"No, Father, no!" young frog did claim,
"It was much larger, not at all the same."

Old frog puffed up, his size he doubled,
But young frog said, "There's still some trouble!
Bigger, Father, still more to go,
The ox was grand, this much I know."

Determined, the old frog gave his best shot,
He puffed and he puffed, a whole lot.
"There's no ox as big as me, you see!"
But then...POP! He burst, just like a bee.

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Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the old frog kept trying to puff himself up larger and larger?
  2. How did the little frog feel when he saw the Ox and why?
  3. Can you recall a time when you or someone else tried to be bigger or better than they were and what happened?
  4. What does this story teach us about the importance of being content with who we are?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this fable in our everyday lives?

Fable Quotes

Inflating pride can lead to an explosive end.
Self-acceptance is the antidote to inflated pride.
Wisdom knows that size does not equate to fear.
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