FABLES. 



THE FROGS AND THEIR KING. 



IN antient times, the nation of Frogs lived an 

 easy free life among their lakes and ponds; but at 

 length grew dissatisfied with such a continuance of 

 undisturbed tranquillity, and petitioned Jupiter for 

 a king. Jupiter smiled at their folly, and threw 

 them down a log of wood, and with a thundering 

 voice said, "there is a king for you." With this, 

 and the sudden splash it made in the water, they 

 were at first quite panic-struck, and for some time 

 durst not put their heads up; but by degrees they 

 ventured to take a peep, and at length even to leap 

 upon the log. Not being pleased with so tame and 

 insipid a king, they again petitioned Jupiter for 

 another, who would exert more authority. Jupiter, 

 disgusted at their importunate folly, sent them a 

 Stork for their king, who, without ceremony, eat 



