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.
カエルたちは、きちんとした支配者がいないのをなげいて、ユピテルのもとへ使いを送り、王をくださいと頼みこんだ。ユピテルはカエルたちの単純さを見てとって、大きな丸太を一本、池に投げこんだ。カエルたちはそれが落ちたときの水しぶきにおびえ、池の底深くにかくれた。ところが、その大きな丸太がまったく動かないとわかるやいなや、カエルたちはまた水面まで泳ぎ上がり、こわがるのをやめて丸太によじのぼり、ばかにしてその上にしゃがみこむようになった。しばらくすると、カエルたちは、こんなに動かない支配者をあてがわれたのはひどい扱いだと思うようになり、ユピテルのもとへ二度目の使いを送って、別の君主を立ててくださるよう祈った。そこでユピテルは、カエルたちを治めるためにウナギをあたえた。ウナギがおだやかでお人よしだとわかると、カエルたちはさらに三度目の使いをユピテルのもとへ送り、また別の王を選んでくださいと頼んだ。カエルたちの不平にすっかり腹を立てたユピテルは、サギを送った。サギは毎日毎日カエルたちを食べ、とうとう池でゲロゲロ鳴くカエルは一匹もいなくなってしまった。