The Frogs Desiring a King

When you finish, try The Frogs Desiring a King Quiz.

Vocabulary:

• commotion - loud noises, ruckus

• constitution - a governing plan or set of rules for a group, an organization or a nation.

• Jove - an important Roman god

• petition - to ask for something

• repented - was sorry and made up for doing something wrong

• ventured - tried something risky

The Frogs were living as happy as could be in a marshy swamp that just suited them; they went splashing about caring for nobody and nobody troubling with them.

But some of them thought that this was not right, that they should have a king and a proper constitution, so they determined to send up a petition to Jove to give them what they wanted.

"Mighty Jove," they cried, "send unto us a king that will rule over us and keep us in order."

Jove laughed at their croaking, and threw down into the swamp a huge Log, which came down splash to the swamp. The Frogs were frightened out of their lives by the commotion made in their midst, and all rushed to the bank to look at the horrible monster; but after a time, seeing that it did not move, one or two of the boldest of them ventured out towards the Log, and even dared to touch it; still it did not move.

Then the greatest hero of the Frogs jumped upon the Log and commenced dancing up and down upon it, thereupon all the Frogs came and did the same; and for some time the Frogs went about their business every day without taking the slightest notice of their new King Log lying in their midst.

But this did not suit them, so they sent another petition to Jove, and said to him, "We want a real king; one that will really rule over us." Now this made Jove angry, so he sent among them a big Stork that soon set to work gobbling them all up. Then the Frogs repented but it was too late.

"Better no rule than cruel rule."

Questions to discuss:

• Did you ever sign a petition or send one around yourself - what was it about and how did it turn out?

• What could happen without rules?