The Frogs and the Ox

The Frogs and the Ox is a telling moralistic fable by Aesop that showcases a group of frogs being intimidated and scared by a big ox that comes to their pond. On seeing the size of the ox, a young, ambitious frog inflates herself to appear bigger but sadly bursts and dies in the process. The story serves as a cautionary tale against pride and pretense, suggesting the dangers of comparing oneself to others and attempting to be what you're not.

• Children

								
An Ox came down to a reedy pool to drink. As he splashed heavily
into the water, he crushed a young Frog into the mud. The old
Frog soon missed the little one and asked his brothers and
sisters what had become of him.

"A great big monster," said one of them, "stepped on little
brother with one of his huge feet!"

"Big, was he!" said the old Frog, puffing herself up. "Was he as
big as this?"

"Oh, much bigger!" they cried.

The Frog puffed up still more.

"He could not have been bigger than this," she said. But the
little Frogs all declared that the monster was much, much
bigger and the old Frog kept puffing herself out more and more
until, all at once, she burst.

Do not attempt the impossible.
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