In a field a very long time ago there was a family of frogs. The mother frog was quite old and very wise. The father frog was not quite so old nor quite as wise but he was kindly. They had many children who had grown strong from little tadpoles within the pond and now were ready to be sent forth to venture far and wide into the world. Each and every one of the many children, the young froglets, were excited to explore this world but there was one who held back, a little shy, even perhaps a little affeared for what might be out there.
There came the day when all at once they decided to venture forth and hopped in the grass across the field, over the hill to the far horizon. The parents were sad to see them go but knew, go they must, as all young froglets must embark upon their journey into the wide world to follow their own path and destiny. The small timid one stayed behind, not really wanting to leave his mother and father, and although a little curious to see what his brothers and sisters might find, he preferred to stay where he was.
“Why do you not go?” asked his father. “What will you do if you stay here?”
The little frog looked up at his parents and said “Can I not stay with you in this pond which was always good enough for you and the others? Why should it not be good for me?”
His father and mother looked at each other and could no longer disagree; indeed, why should he not stay. So this was accepted.
In time the little frog grew larger, he grew bigger and his mother and father faded away, as all good animals and people must do in the process of time. He was left alone in the pond and indeed became very lonely and sad. He would call at night for a mate, night upon night for many, many months. He would call hoping that a female frog would hear his plaintive cries. Then one late autumn night, when all frogs should have prepared to dig deep into the mud of the pond to stay for the winter, he still remained calling for a mate. Eventually his cries were met and a young, beautiful female frog came to him and spoke. “Why are you so sad, why do you call so?”
“I am happy now that I see you before me and would you take my hand so that we may become friends and meld together and make a family?” She agreed to do this and they were both very happy together.
The winter came and still they had not prepared. They became cold and hungry, there were no flies and insects to eat at that time of year, all had gone after the long summer and there was nothing left to eat. As it got colder they huddled together, knowing they were happy but sad that they would not live for much longer and were not to enjoy each other’s company for another year, nor to produce the family they had so wished for.
The moral is one should prepare before one wishes for what one wants, knowing that if one is given what one wishes it may be too late to fulfil its purpose. In other words; look before you leap.
