See my blog post on this project
Knowing others is intelligence;
Proudly Spondered by GR
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
mastering yourself is true power.
- Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
Once upon a time in the country of Japan there lived two frogs, one of whom made his home in a ditch near the town of Osaka1, on the sea coast, while the other dwelt in a clear little stream which ran through the city of Kyoto2. At such a great distance apart, they had never even heard of each other; but, funnily enough, the idea came into both their heads at once that they should like to see a little of the world, and the frog who lived at Kyoto wanted to visit Osaka, and the frog who lived at Osaka wished to go to Kyoto, where the great Mikado had his palace. So one fine morning in the spring they both set out along the road that led from Kyoto to Osaka, one from one end and the other from the other. The journey was more tiring than they expected, for they did not know much about traveling, and halfway between the two towns there arose a mountain which had to be climbed. It took them a long time and a great many hops to reach the top, but there they were at last, and what was the surprise of each to see another frog before him!
They looked at each other for a moment without speaking, and then fell into conversation, explaining the cause of their meeting so far from their homes. It was delightful to find that they both felt the same wish--to learn a little more of their native country--and as there was no sort of hurry they stretched themselves out in a cool, damp place, and agreed that they would have a good rest before they parted to go their ways.
What a pity we are not bigger," said the Osaka frog; "for then we could see both towns from here, and tell if it is worth our while going on.
Oh, that is easily managed," returned the Kyoto frog. "We have only got to stand up on our hind legs, and hold onto each other, and then we can each look at the town he is traveling to.
This idea pleased the Osaka frog so much that he at once jumped up and put his
front paws on the shoulder of his friend, who had risen also. There they both
stood, stretching themselves as high as they could, and holding each other
tightly, so that they might not fall down.
Dear me!" cried the Osaka frog, "Kyoto is exactly like Osaka. It is certainly not worth such a long journey. I shall go home!
If I had had any idea that Osaka was only a copy of Kyoto I should never have traveled all this way," exclaimed the frog from Kyoto, and as he spoke he took his hands from his friend's shoulders, and they both fell down on the grass. Then they took a polite farewell of each other, and set off for home again, and to the end of their lives they believed that Osaka and Kyoto, which are as different to look at as two towns can be, were as alike as two peas.
Source: Andrew Lang, The Violet Fairy Book (London: Longmans, Green and Co.,1901), pp. 125-26.
Lang's source: David Brauns, "Die beiden Frosche," Japanische Marchen und Sagen
(Leipzig: Verlag von Wilhelm Freidrich, 1885), pp. 91-92.
Return to the table of contents.
TOP OF PAGE
Report Site Error