The Frog and the Serpent

Gangadatta was the King of the Frogs. He lived in a deep, cool well with his large family. But Gangadatta was not happy. He had many relatives—cousins, nephews, and nieces—who were very naughty. They mocked him, splashed him, and refused to listen to his orders. “I wish I could teach them a lesson,” Gangadatta grumbled. “They are making my life miserable.”

One day, in his anger, he climbed up the wet walls of the well and came out into the garden. He saw a large black Serpent named Priyadarshan slithering into a hole. An idea sparked in Gangadatta’s mind. It was a dangerous idea, but he was too angry to think clearly. “O Serpent!” he called out. The Serpent hissed and looked out. “Who calls me? Ah, a frog! You are a brave snack to come to my door.”

“I am not a snack today,” said Gangadatta. “I am a King. I have come to offer you a friendship.” “Friendship?” laughed the Serpent. “Fire and water cannot be friends. Frogs and snakes cannot be friends.” “Hear me out,” said the Frog. “I have enemies in my well. They are fat and juicy frogs who disrespect me. If you come and live in my well, I will let you eat them. You get easy food, and I get peace.”

The Serpent’s eyes glinted with greed. “Easy food? I like that. Take me to your well.” Gangadatta led the Serpent down into the well. The other frogs were terrified when they saw the predator. “Do not fear!” announced the King. “He is my friend. He will only punish the bad frogs.”

True to his word, the Serpent ate the naughty cousins that Gangadatta pointed out. Gangadatta was happy. “Finally, I am the ruler again!” he thought. But soon, there were no naughty frogs left. The Serpent was still hungry. “I am hungry, friend,” hissed the Serpent. “Show me the next meal.” “There are no more enemies,” said Gangadatta. “You should go home now.”

The Serpent laughed, a cold, dry sound. “Go home? I like it here. It is cool and safe. If you don’t find me food, I will eat your wife. And then your children. And finally… you.”

Gangadatta trembled. He realized he had made a terrible mistake. He had invited a monster into his home to solve a small problem. “I… I will look for more,” stammered the Frog. That night, while the Serpent was sleeping, Gangadatta woke his wife and children. “We must leave,” he whispered. “I was foolish. My anger made me blind.”

Quietly, very quietly, the Frog family climbed the walls of the well. They helped each other over the slippery stones. Just as dawn broke, they reached the top and hopped away into the wide garden, never to return. They lost their home, but they saved their lives. The Serpent was left alone in the empty well, waiting for a meal that would never come.

Moral of the Story: Think carefully before you act in anger. Inviting trouble to harm others will often harm you too.