THE OX AND THE FROG
Reading edition
An ox, drinking at a pool, trod on a brood of young frogs, and crushed one of them to death. The mother coming up, and missing one of her sons, inquired of his brothers what had become of him.
“He is dead,” said they; “for just now a very huge beast with four great feet came to the pool and crushed him with his cloven heel.”
The frog, puffing herself out, inquired, “Was the beast as big as that in size?”
“Cease mother, to puff yourself out,” said her son, “and do not be angry; for you would, I assure you, sooner burst than successfully imitate the hugeness of that monster.”
To know the limitations of our nature, and act accordingly, is the part of wisdom.
