Long ago, when the world was still young, the nights were quiet beside the rivers and ponds.
Tall reeds swayed gently in the cool wind, and the water moved softly under the moonlight. Frogs lived peacefully near the muddy banks, hopping through wet grass and resting on smooth stones.
In those days, frogs made no sound at all.
The world was silent after sunset except for the whisper of water and the rustling leaves.
At that time, water was not free for everyone. A powerful spirit guarded every river, pond, and stream. No animal could drink without permission.
The animals respected the spirit and spoke carefully whenever they came near the water.
One summer, the weather grew hotter than ever before.
Day after day, the sun burned across the land. The grass became dry and yellow. Small ponds began to shrink, and the muddy edges cracked under the heat.
The frogs grew thirsty.
They searched among the reeds for cool water, but each day there was less to find.
One evening, a group of frogs gathered beside a nearly empty pond.
“We cannot go on like this,” one frog said quietly.
“My throat feels dry,” said another.
“The little ponds are disappearing,” whispered a smaller frog.
The oldest frog looked toward the distant hills where the great waters flowed.
“We must ask the water spirit for help,” he said.
The frogs nodded nervously.
The next morning, they began their journey.
They hopped through tall grass, crossed warm stones, and followed the sound of flowing water deep into the valley. By the time they reached the spirit’s pond, the sun hung high in the sky.
The water there looked cool and clear. Tiny ripples shimmered across its surface.
The frogs stared at it longingly.
Then the water slowly began to move.
A soft mist rose above the pond, and the spirit appeared, tall and calm like flowing water itself.
“Why have you come?” the spirit asked in a deep, gentle voice.
The frogs bowed low.
“We are thirsty,” said the oldest frog respectfully. “Please allow us to drink.”
The spirit watched them carefully for a long moment.
“At times,” the spirit said, “excitement makes creatures forget their promises.”
The frogs quickly shook their heads.
“We will not forget,” they said.
The spirit’s eyes remained calm and steady.
“You may drink,” the spirit said at last. “But you must do so quietly and with respect.”
The frogs nodded eagerly.
“We promise,” they said together.
The spirit slowly moved aside.
At once, the frogs hurried toward the water.
The cool smell of the pond filled the air. The frogs leaned down and drank deeply.
The water felt fresh and wonderful after the long days of heat.
One frog sighed happily.
Another splashed his feet into the water.
A smaller frog gave a tiny sound of excitement.
Croak.
The others looked up.
Then another frog croaked.
And another.
Soon, joy bubbled through the whole group.
“We have water again!” one frog cried.
“Cool water!” shouted another.
The frogs leaped and splashed, their happy voices growing louder and louder.
Croak!
Croooak!
Croak! Croak!
The quiet pond echoed with noise.
Suddenly, the water began to swirl.
The frogs stopped at once.
The spirit rose again from the pond, but this time the air felt colder around it.
“You broke your promise,” the spirit said firmly.
The frogs lowered their heads.
“We are sorry,” whispered one.
“We forgot ourselves,” said another softly.
The spirit looked at them with disappointment.
“You promised to drink quietly,” it said. “But the moment excitement filled your hearts, you forgot your words.”
The frogs sat silently beside the water.
At last, the spirit spoke again.
“From this day forward, you will never be silent again.”
A strange wind moved across the pond.
The frogs blinked in surprise.
One tried to speak quietly.
But all that came out was a rough croak.
Another frog opened his mouth.
Croooak!
Soon, every frog’s voice had changed.
No matter how softly they tried to speak, loud croaks filled the air instead.
The frogs looked at one another sadly, understanding what had happened.
From that day on, frogs croaked beside rivers and ponds every evening and every night.
Sometimes their voices sounded loud and joyful.
Sometimes soft and lonely.
And whenever people heard frogs croaking near the water under the moonlit sky, they remembered the old promise the frogs once made and forgot to keep.
Moral of the Story
Keep your promises.
Self-control matters, even in moments of excitement.
Think and Answer
- Why did the frogs go to the water spirit?
- What promise did the frogs make?
- Why did the frogs begin croaking loudly?
- What lesson did the frogs learn at the end?
Word Power
Spirit
A magical being
Reeds
Tall plants that grow near water
Respect
Showing care and good behavior
Croak
The rough sound frogs make
Promise
A pledge to do something
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