46. The Frog-King in the Well



The frog-king ruled the frogs of the well. The king had many enemies, so he hopped out of the well and found a snake.
"Snake," he said, "please kill my enemies."
"But I cannot swim!" replied the snake.
"You can hide in a hole in the wall of the well," explained the frog-king. "I'll show you my enemies, but you must spare my friends and family."
So the greedy snake ate all the frog-king's enemies.
Then his friends.
Then his family.
Terrified, the frog-king ran away.
"Frog-King, come back!" shouted the snake.
But the frog-king now knew not to listen.

Inspired byThe Panchatantra, translated by Arthur Ryder.
Notes: It is in Book 4, Story 2.

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