A Tale Of Two Frogs

Some frogs were traveling across the country. Hopping and jumping they were moving along merrily, till they reached a jungle. As it was a thick jungle it got dark within its confines. Despite the best of caution they were hampered by the limited visibility but decided to proceed anyway. As they leapt on, they chanced upon some treacherous territory. When they were negotiating it, as luck would have it, two of the frogs fell into a rather deep pit.

When the other frogs looked into that pit and gauged it as a rather deep one, they informed the two hapless victims in the deep pit that they were as good as dead.The two frogs deep inside the pit decided to ignore the comments and advice offered by bystanders.

They tried and attempted to jump out of that pit with all their might. While they were doing that the other frogs outside the pit kept telling the two that there was no point in attempting to escape as it was a forgone conclusion that they would ultimately die…as the pit was out of the possible scaling limit of the frogs by froggy standards.

One of the confined frogs, while attempting to jump out, began to pay heed to these comments. His efforts showed less zeal and he began to tire out as well… much sooner than his trapped mate. He exhausted himself quickly with every attempt that he made, and in due course fell dead.

The other frog continued to jump with the same zeal and with every attempt that he made he would gain a few more inches. He continued to jump and persevered in the the true spirit of the proverb: Try and try till you succeed. The crowd of frogs on seeing the other one dead continued to dissuade the surviving one, beseeching him to give up else he would drop dead too! They were croaking all the time, advising him to not go through the painful experience of trying so hard. They wanted him to lay down and die peacefully instead.

The frog however, did not heed to them at all and he continued to try…he tried and tried till he finally did jump out of that pit!

When he was out of the pit all the frogs accosted him and inquired from him why he did not pay heed to their croaky and well throated advice. “Did you not hear us?” they exclaimed.

There was no response from the exhausted frog. After some more vocal and deliberate attempts the frogs discovered that they were croaking at a partially deaf frog!

When the frog finally understood what they were asking of him, he responded and told them that he continued to jump as he thought the others were encouraging him to do better with every jump! He did that precisely. And here he was outside the pit.

Mission Impossible accomplished! Thanks to his misinterpretation of that croaky ‘encouragement’ from the entire group of pessimists!

The story as such teaches us a few well meaning lessons:

1) We should strive to attempt and fail rather than fail to attempt as life is full of pitfalls.

2) Our power of speech both as an individual and as a collective team, has the power of life and death within it. It encourages all the time when used properly and sincerely. An encouraging word or two to anyone whom we know  is down and low, can help lift his/her spirits and make him/her move on.

3) A destructive word or piece of advice to someone is ‘down in the dumps’ can be what it takes to kill the individual rather than will/fill him/her with much needed hope and encouragement.

4) We must listen to one and all if need be; but must do what we feel needs to be done vis a vis the situation on hand.

5) We must open our minds before we open our mouths.

If we have to speak we must speak carefully all the time. Our speech should always speak of life and hope to all whom cross our paths. We should desist and refrain from speaking about negativity as such! The power of words is awesome.

It is very easy for any one to speak discouraging words to others so remember those who take time and put in conscious efforts to encourage others in times of need are indeed very special friends…. in need and in deed too!