The Arrogant Frog and the Superior Bull

The Arrogant Frog and the Superior Bull

The Arrogant Frog and the Superior Bull

The Arrogant Frog and the Superior Bull

by Guy Wetmore Carryl, 1898.

The Arrogant Frog and the Superior Bull

 

 

Once, on a time and in a place

Conducive to malaria,

There lived a member of the race

Of Rana Temporaria;

Or, more concisely still, a frog

Inhabited a certain bog.

 

A bull of Brobdingnagian size,

Too proud for condescension,

One morning chanced to cast his eyes

Upon the frog I mention;

And, being to the manner born,

Surveyed him with a lofty scorn.

 

Perceiving this, the bactrian’s frame

With anger was inflated,

Till, growing larger, he became

Egregiously elated;

For inspiration’s sudden spell

Had pointed out a way to swell.

 

“Ha! ha!” he proudly cried, “a fig

For this, your mammoth torso!

Just watch me while I grow as big

As you–or even more so!”

To which magniloquential gush

His bullship simply answered “Tush!”

 

Alas! the frog’s success was slight,

Which really was a wonder,

In view of how with main and might

He strove to grow rotunder!

And, standing patiently the while,

The bull displayed a quiet smile.

 

But ah, the frog tried once too oft

And, doing so, he busted;

Whereat the bull discreetly coughed

And moved away, disgusted,

As well he might, considering

The wretched taste that marked the thing.

 

THE MORAL: Everybody knows

How ill a wind it is that blows.

 

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