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Aesop's Fables · Chapter

The Frogs Asking for a King explained

The Frogs, discontented with having no ruler, ask Jupiter for a king.

What happens

The Frogs, discontented with having no ruler, ask Jupiter for a king. Jupiter sends a log, which they soon despise, so they request a better king. Annoyed, Jupiter sends a Stork that devours them.

Themes in this chapter

  • Wisdom and Foolishness

    The frogs' foolish discontent leads to disastrous consequences, highlighting the lack of wisdom in their demands.

  • Justice and Consequence

    Jupiter's response to the frogs' repeated pestering results in a harsh but fitting punishment.

Characters to notice

  • The Frogs

    Discontented frogs who petition Jupiter for a king and are punished for their folly.

  • Jupiter

    The god who grants the frogs' request first with a log, then with a predatory stork.

Key passages

  • “Jupiter, despising the folly of their request, cast a log into the pool where they lived, and said that that should be their King.”

    Jupiter, scornful of their foolish plea, threw a log into their pond and declared it their ruler.

    Illustrates Jupiter's initial contempt and the absurdity of the frogs' demand.

  • “Jupiter, annoyed at being pestered in this way, sent a Stork to rule over them, who no sooner arrived among them than he began to catch and eat the Frogs as fast as he could.”

    Irritated by their nagging, Jupiter sent a Stork as king, which immediately started devouring the frogs.

    Shows the severe consequence of the frogs' persistent foolishness.

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