Be Careful What You Wish For

 

The frogs, living an easy and free life in the lakes and ponds, once prayed to Jupiter to send them a king.

Jove (Jupiter), being in a merry mood at the time, threw them a log, saying as he did so: "There, then, is a king for you."

Awed by the splash, the frogs watched their new king in fear and trembling. At last, encouraged by its stillness, one bold frog jumped onto the log's shoulder. Soon, many others followed, leaping upon their silent, unresisting king and making merry on his back.

But they quickly grew tired of such a lifeless ruler. So they petitioned Jupiter again, begging for a more active king.

This time, Jupiter sent them a stork—who immediately began tossing them about and gobbling them up without mercy. Horrified, the frogs wasted no time in begging the god to restore their peaceful past.

"No, no," replied Jupiter. "A harmless king did not please you. Now you must live with the one you have—or you may end up with someone even worse!"