Aesop
The Frogs who wanted a King
Adaptation of a story Aesop wrote for an Athenian public with the political goal to keep them from choosing (in his mind) the wrong candidate.
A group of frogs was lazing on the bank by the pond not doing much of anything. Now we all know that lazing around not doing much of anything can be a good thing for a short minute, but after a while it can also lead to no good. As a matter of fact, being just plain lazy can become a habit and we forget what it’s like to actually do something.
Charlie, the biggest of the frogs in the pond, floated by on a lotus leaf.
– Hey Charlie! What’s up? hollered one frog.
– Nothing much, said Charlie. Just floating around.
– Catch any flies? asked a second.
– Caught a half dozen down yonder, he replied.
Not that they were hungry or anything, there were more than enough bugs around the pond. They didn't have much to say. Actually they had everything they needed to be comfortable yet still they were dissatisfied. Having become lazy in everything they were not inclined to really analize what what was missing in their lives. They finally came to the conclusion that they had no kingdom. They wanted one but there was a problem.
– We can’t have a kingdom without a king.
A delegation of frogs traveled to Olympus for an arranged meeting with Zeus, god of gods, to make their request.
Zeus looked down on the stupid frogs. He found them unworthy but decided to give them a chance to figure things out. He kindly sent the frogs back to their pond and promised he’d send them a king. The delegation shared the good news.
The next morning a huge dark object dropped from the sky into the water with a great splash. Terrified, the frogs jumped from their sleep and scattered in all directions. The object bobbed in and out of the water until it lay motionless.
– There’s our King! they cried joyously. Zeus has granted our wish! Oh Mighty Log, we are here as your Humble Servants.
The weeks passed and nothing happened until one day Charlie jumped on the log and said:
– This isn’t a king, it’s just a piece of wood.
The frogs were understandably furious at Zeus, for tricking them.
– We want a king more than anything! they said. Please grant us our wish.
Zeus looked down at the foolish frogs.
– I’ll send you a king, he said. Then he called for Stork.
– Stork, I give you this crown to be “King of the Frogs”.
– Thank you Zeus, said Stork, thrilled. Frogs are my favorite delicacy.
We ask for a king when we are too lazy to accomplish something ourselves. It’s easier to follow orders and have others do the thinking for us, than take personal responsibility.
