Week 1 Story: The Frogs Desiring a King

There once was a swamp far far away named the Simple Swamp. The swamp was filled with joyful little frogs who lived a simple life. The frogs were always aware of the unspoken rules of their swamp. For example, every frog was aware that once a frog claimed a log or a lily pad that it was off limits to the others. The frogs could challenge each other to a dual on the first Monday of every month if they wanted to fight over the log or lily pad but that is the only way it could be done. Another unspoken role was that once every female frog chose their mate, that frog was not to be messed with by anyone. This was just how the frogs lived their simple life. They never had a problem with any of the frogs disregarding the rules, until one day.

(Simple Swamp)

One day a group of frogs migrated from a nearby swamp to the Simple Swamp. The frogs from the strange swamp seemed to not have any manners or respect for the Simple Swamp's unspoken rules. These frogs were jumping on every lily pad they laid eyes on, regardless if it was claimed or not. The female frogs were going around and talking to all the male frogs in the Simple Swamp, in a fashion that can almost be labeled as "flirting". The frogs of Simple Swamp were enraged and could not bare the commotion that was brought into their simple life. The frogs called for change. They croaked for a king and some set rules and guidelines.

(King of the Frogs)

They called upon the eldest frog of the group and asked them to be their king. The elderly frog agreed and so the change begun. The frogs were called into their first swamp meeting with the king. The king went over specific rules and guidelines. The king said " if you do not like the rules of the Simple Swamp then you can leave and find yourself another one." The new frogs were not fond of the rules. They believed the rules were old fashion and outdated. However, they had respect for the king and decided to go find themselves another swamp. Though the trouble maker frogs had left the Simple Swamp, the frogs decided to keep the king encase future decisions needed to be made. The Simple Swamp frogs continued to live their simple life, until once again when troubled frogs found their way to the Simple Swamp. 

Author's Note:

In the original fable there are frogs who live a simple life in a swamp. The frogs one day wanted a king and an official constitutions. Their calls were answered and they got a log as a king. However the log was not vocal or ruling enough for them and they asked for another king. Now they were sent an angry stork who started to gobble them up. I decided to keep the factors of the simple life, the rules, and the king in my story, however, I wanted to spice things up. I thought it would interesting to bring in more conflict in which would result in a king. I feel that it is like this in real life at times. The more conflict that arises in a situation, the more strict rules can get in that environment.

Bibliography:

This story is based on the fable "The Frogs Desiring a King" in Aesop's Fables.