Story of the Frog and the Crocodile

The story of the Frog and the Crocodile was a fable often told to me as a child lesson to be aware

of your enemies and always work hard. Once, there was a frog that lived in the swamps of Louisiana

often wanting to escape the life of a wet and muddy environment. Unfortunately, the path to a dry place

meant he would have to cross a river filled with all sorts of predators that fed on frogs. They included

slithering snakes, crocodiles and other animals that loved nothing better that a good, plump frog for

dinner. Trying for some time to try and cross the river and unsuccessful, he met a crocodile. This

crocodile made friends with the frog by telling him he wouldn’t eat him nor would he allow any other

predator to harm him. Finally, after much conversation the crocodile gained the frogs trust against his

better judgment by letting him ride on his tail to cross the river. During the journey, the frog noticed a

group of fishes clinging close to rocks and twigs due to the strong current. Afraid, the frog hung on tighter

to the crocodile. The crocodile traveling off course due to not being able to use his tail convinced the frog

to ride on his back so he could steer better to shore. Finally, the crocodile persuaded the frog to remove a

cattail fluff from his snout that was making him sneeze. The frog unsure, but trusting, moved to check the

crocodile nostrils and just then, with a terrific CHOMP! The frog disappeared. Buried in the stomach of the

crocodile the frog cried out, “Why did you eat me? You said you were full; you said you weren’t hungry?”

The crocodile replied, “It’s my nature to eat frogs. What did you expect? I am after all, a crocodile.

The moral to the story if you are the frog is to never accept a ride from a crocodile (or someone

you know is an enemy) and no matter how big the flies (or prize) seem on the other side of the river you

must trust your instinct. This parable was often used as a tool by my parents to...