The Frogs Asking for a King

　　THE FROGS, grieved at having no established Ruler, sent

　　ambassadors to Jupiter entreating for a King.

　　Perceiving their

　　simplicity, he cast down a huge log into the lake.

　　The Frogs

　　were terrified at the splash occasioned by its fall and hid

　　themselves in the depths of the pool.

　　But as soon as they

　　realized that the huge log was motionless, they swam again to the

　　top of the water, dismissed their fears, climbed up, and began

　　squatting on it in contempt.

　　After some time they began to think

　　themselves ill-treated in the appointment of so inert a Ruler,

　　and sent a second deputation to Jupiter to pray that he would set

　　over them another sovereign.

　　He then gave them an Eel to govern

　　them.

　　When the Frogs discovered his easy good nature, they sent

　　yet a third time to Jupiter to beg him to choose for them still

　　another King.

　　Jupiter, displeased with all their complaints,

　　sent a Heron, who preyed upon the Frogs day by day till there

　　were none left to croak upon the lake.

　　The Cat and the King

　　A CAT was looking at a King, as permitted by the proverb.

　　"Well," said the monarch, observing her inspection of the royal

　　person, "how do you like me?"

　　"I can imagine a King," said the Cat, "whom I should like better."

　　"For example?"

　　"The King of the Mice."

　　The sovereign was so pleased with the wit of the reply that he gave

　　her permission to scratch his Prime Minister's eyes out.