🐸🐂 The Frog and the Ox

📜 The Proud Frog
Aesop’s Fable – Easy English Version

NARRATOR:
One sunny day, a frog sat near a quiet pond with his friends.
Suddenly, he saw a big ox walking slowly by the water.
The ox was huge, with strong legs and a heavy body.
It looked powerful and proud.

🐸 FROG (thinking):
“Wow! Look at that creature! He’s so big and strong.
I want to be just as big as him!”

NARRATOR:
So, the little frog puffed up his belly with air.
His chest grew round, and his cheeks got fat.
He turned to the other frogs and asked:

🐸 FROG:
“Am I as big as the ox now?”

OTHER FROGS:
“No, not yet.”

NARRATOR:
The frog puffed up again.
Bigger and bigger he grew.

🐸 FROG:
“Now? Am I big like the ox?”

OTHER FROGS:
“No, still not quite.”

NARRATOR:
The frog didn’t give up.
He took a deep breath and puffed one more time—harder than ever.

He stretched and stretched…

Then—POP!

The frog burst!

NARRATOR:
The other frogs jumped back in shock.
There was silence around the pond.

NARRATOR (ending):
Trying to be someone you’re not can be dangerous.
It’s better to grow in your own time and be proud of who you are.
Don’t try to copy others—just be yourself.

THE END.

📚 Vocabulary 

• Proud – feeling good about yourself

• Puff up – to fill with air and grow bigger

• Burst – to explode suddenly

• Creature – any animal or living being

• Quiet pond – a small, still place of water

🗣 Useful Expressions 

• “Am I as big as the ox now?” – asking for comparison

• “Still not quite.” – saying it’s not enough

• “Don’t try to copy others—just be yourself.” – the main lesson

❓ Comprehension Questions

1. 🐸 What animal did the frog see?

2. 💨 What did the frog do to get bigger?

3. 🗯️ What did the other frogs say when he puffed up?

4. 💥 What happened when the frog puffed too much?

5. 🌈 What lesson did the frog’s story teach?