Why the Frogs Croak

"Why the Frogs Croak" by Julia Darrow Cowles is a charming children's book that explores the natural world through the curious eyes of a young child. With engaging illustrations and a playful narrative, the story delves into the fascinating behaviors of frogs and their habitats. As children read along, they discover the reasons behind the sounds and activities of these amphibians, fostering a sense of wonder and appreciation for nature. The book combines education with entertainment, making it an ideal read for young nature enthusiasts and aspiring scientists alike.

• Children
• Short story

								
“MO-O-O-O-RE, mo-o-o-o-re!” croaked a big frog in the marshes. “’Tis
enough, ’tis enough, ’tis enough!” answered a smaller frog.

But the big frog called again, “Mo-o-o-o-re, mo-o-o-o-re!” And again
the smaller frog answered, “’Tis enough! ’Tis enough!”

“What is it the frogs are quarreling about, grandmother?” asked a
little Indian girl, and the grandmother replied, “About the water, I
suppose.”

“Why do they quarrel about the water? Is it a story, grandmother?”

“Yes,” said the grandmother, “it is a story. Listen and I will tell it
to you!

“In the long-time-ago all the waters of the land were tied up. The
Indian people grew thirsty, and more thirsty. Their fields were drying
up. The flowers withered. The people said, ‘We shall die!’

“Then there came to one of the villages the giant, Rabbit, and he
said, ‘What is this I hear about the waters being tied up?’

“The Chief answered, ‘For many days there has been no water. The
streams are empty. No little rivers come down the mountain side. Our
corn is drying up. Our people’s throats are parched.’

“The giant, Rabbit, said, ‘I will go into the mountains and see who
has tied up the water.’ Then he strode away, taking such great steps
that he was out of sight in a moment.

“Up the mountain went the giant, and when he came to the top he found
a tribe of men there, and they had tied up the water so that it stood
in great pools which had grown green and slimy, because it was no
longer fresh.

“‘What are you doing with the water?’ asked the Rabbit, and his voice
rolled down the mountain like thunder. ‘Do you not know that the
tribes below you are dying for want of it?’

“The Chief of the strange tribe came out to answer the Rabbit. He was
fat and ugly, and his back was covered with green slime from the pool.

“‘We need the water for ourselves. It was running away down the
mountain, so we stopped it,’ said the Chief.

“Rabbit reached out and caught the Chief by the back of his neck and
shook him. The giant’s grasp was strong, and the Chief’s eyes bulged
from his head, and he swelled up till he was puffed out all over, from
trying to get his breath.

“‘So shall you look, you and all your tribe, hereafter,’ said Rabbit,
holding him off and looking at him. Then he threw him into the green
pool, and all his tribe with him.

“After that Rabbit untied the water, and all the little streams began
to flow down the mountain. Our people, at the foot of the mountain,
saw them coming, and they gave thanks to the Great Spirit, because he
had helped the giant, Rabbit, to give them water again, that they
might live.

“The tribe at the top of the mountain became frogs, as you see them
now, and they have traveled to many parts of the land; but wherever
they go they keep on quarreling about the water, as you have heard
them this day.”
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