Buddhist and Other Tales

21. Two Frogs in a Well

Two Frogs in a Well

A FROG LIVED in a well. It was born and brought up there. One day another frog came from the sea and fell into that well. The frog of the well asked the newcomer, "Where are you from?"

The frog of the sea replied, "From the sea."

The frog of the well went further, "The sea! What is that?"

The frog of the sea said, "It is water as in this well, but water as far as you can see. It is huge."

The frog of the well then took a leap from one side of the well to the other and asked, "Is it as big as this?"

"Much, much bigger." said the frog of the sea, "It is no good to compare the sea with your well."

The frog of the well said, "Nothing is bigger than my well. This fellow is a liar, he must be turned out."

Such is the case with every narrow-minded man who is sitting in his own little well.

[Adapted from Ramakrishna]