The frog and the ox
An old frog lived on a lily pad in a river. He was a big frog and very proud of his size. All other frogs respected him so much because they were afraid of him. Other animals and insects were afraid of him, too. The blue dragonflies tried hard to keep out of the reach of his sticky tongue. Even the fishes were careful not to annoy him. The frog ruled the river. A farmer had a meadow by the river. He had an old ox. The ox had worked for him all his life. He had helped him plough his fields. He had carried his children to school. But now the ox was getting old. He wasn’t strong enough to work anymore.
The farmer liked his ox and he was grateful for all the hard work he had done for him over the years. He didn’t want to sell him. He decided to let the ox spend his old age at peace, in the meadow by the river.
One morning, the ox moved into the meadow. He walked around the meadow. The grass was so soft and green and there were many flowers. The ox was happy. He decided to spend his days in the meadow.
The little animals and insects of the meadow looked at him in fear. The hardworking ants and busy bees stopped their work when the ox walked by. The butterflies flew out of his way. They had never seen such a big animal.
“It’s the largest, biggest animal you ever saw! It has a huge horn on its head. It has a long and strong tail.” cried the dragonflies.
The frog didn’t believe what they said. “This monster cannot be bigger than me.” he cried .
Just then the ox walked down to the river to drink water. The old frog saw the ox. He thought to himself,” he is nothing but a silly old ox! And he is not very large, either.”
“I can be twice his size if I want to, watch!” said the frog to the butterflies.
And then he took a deep breath, huffed and puffed and became like a balloon.
“I am as big as him now” he said to the watching dragonflies and butterflies.
“Oh, no. Not yet!” they cried. “The monster is much bigger. Look at him sleeping in the grass. He looks huge.”
“Well, then. Watch me now.” said the frog. Then he took a deep breath, he huffed and puffed and became like a balloon. “I must be bigger than him now.” he said.
“Ah, no! Not yet.” cried the watching dragonflies and butterflies. ” The monster is much bigger.”
The frog was angry with them. His skin was feeling tight, He couldn’t sit. His cheeks were so puffed that his eyes were almost closed. He couldn’t see over his huge belly. He decided to try one more time. He took a deep breath, he huffed and puffed. He blew and he blew and he blew and he became larger and larger until…
POP!
The frog burst