Traditional | Korea

The Green Frog

A disobedient green frog learns to obey too late, resulting in his mother's grave being washed away by rain.

The Green Frog
Text Version

Once upon a time, in a small pond, there was a green frog who lived with his mother. His father had died, so his mother took care of him alone. This green frog had a strange habit: he always did the opposite of what his mother asked. If she said, "Sit quietly on the lily pad," he would jump and play around. When she told him to swim in the shallow water, he would go into the deep part. If she suggested eating small bugs, he would go after the big ones. He never followed his mother's advice.

His mother, a wise old frog, was very worried. "Why can't he be like other frogs?" she thought. She was concerned about what he would do without her help. She tried every day to teach him to behave well, but the green frog didn’t change his ways.

Time passed, and the mother frog became old and sick. She was so worried about her son that it made her even more ill, but he continued to do the opposite of what she asked.

When the mother frog knew she didn't have much time left, she called her son to her side for one last wish. Knowing her son's habit of doing the opposite, she cleverly said, "When I'm gone, do not bury me on the mountainside. Put me to rest by the river bank." With tears in his eyes, the green frog promised to do as she said.

Four days later, the mother frog died. Filled with sadness and regret for not listening to her, the green frog decided to honor her last words this time. "I will do exactly as she asked," he thought. So, he buried her by the river, even though he knew it wasn't the ideal spot.

Then the monsoon came. The rain was heavy, and the river started to rise. The green frog watched anxiously, hoping the water wouldn't reach his mother's grave. However, the rain was too strong, and the river flooded, washing away the grave.

The green frog sat by the river, crying in the rain, mourning his mother. That's why, even today, it's said that green frogs cry when it rains, remembering the green frog who learned too late to listen to his mother.

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The Green Frog