Section 160

The Two Frogs explained simply

Aesop's Fables by Aesop

Original excerpt

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Two Frogs were neighbours. One lived in a marsh, where there was plenty of water, which frogs love: the other in a lane some distance away, where all the water to be had was that which lay in the ruts after rain. The Marsh Frog warned his friend and pressed him to come and live with him in...
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Two Frogs were neighbours. One lived in a marsh, where there was plenty of water, which frogs love: the other in a lane some distance away, where all the water to be had was that which lay in the ruts after rain. The Marsh Frog warned his friend and pressed him to come and live with him in the marsh, for he would find his quarters there far more comfortable and--what was still more important--more safe. But the other refused, saying that he could not bring himself to move from a place to which he had become accustomed. A few days afterwards a heavy waggon came down the lane, and he was crushed to death under the wheels.

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What happens here

Two frogs consider moving, but one warns they may face the same danger elsewhere.

Why this scene matters

This fable teaches that changing places does not always solve the underlying problem.

Characters in this scene

  • Two Frogs: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.

Simple story version

Two frogs want to leave a drying pond. One asks whether another pond could dry up too.