An old frog tries to puff herself up to be as big as an ox, with disastrous results.
A young frog tells his mother about a giant monster (an ox) he saw at the pond. The mother frog, full of pride, tries to puff herself up to match the size of the beast, ignoring her children's warnings until she bursts.
An Ox came down to a reedy pool to drink. As he splashed heavily into the water, he crushed a young Frog into the mud.
The old Frog soon missed the little one and asked his brothers and sisters what had become of him. "A great big monster," said one of them, "stepped on little brother with one of his huge feet!"
"Big, was he!" said the old Frog, puffing herself up. "Was he as big as this?"
"Oh, much bigger!" they cried out together, their eyes wide with a mix of excitement and fear as they remembered the giant beast.
The Frog puffed up still more. "He could not have been bigger than this," she said.
But the little Frogs all declared that the monster was much, much bigger and the old Frog kept puffing herself out more and more until, all at once, she burst.
Moral of the story: Do not attempt the impossible. Be content with who you are and do not destroy yourself trying to be something you are not.
Introduction
The Frogs and the Ox is a classic Aesop fable about the dangers of vanity and trying to be something you are not.
About the Author
Aesop was a storyteller in Ancient Greece whose fables have been passed down for generations to teach moral lessons.
Values and Lessons
The moral is strictly: Do not attempt the impossible. It warns against arrogance and trying to exceed one's natural limits out of pride.
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The Frogs and the Ox
The Frogs and the Ox is a classic Aesop fable about the dangers of vanity and trying to be something you are not.
Origin of the Story
This fable illustrates the consequences of vanity and self-importance. It is one of the most well-known fables attributed to Aesop.
About the Author
Aesop was a storyteller in Ancient Greece whose fables have been passed down for generations to teach moral lessons.
Values and Lessons
The moral is strictly: Do not attempt the impossible. It warns against arrogance and trying to exceed one's natural limits out of pride.
Humility
Self-awareness
Safety
Activities for Kids
Ask children why the frog wanted to be big, and discuss why it makes sense to be happy with who you are.
🎨Draw the Ox and the Frog
💬Practice puffing cheeks
✨Discuss sizes of animals
Frequently Asked Questions
❓Why did the frog burst?
She puffed herself up with too much air trying to be as big as the ox.
❓What is the lesson?
Do not attempt the impossible; be happy as you are.
