In a quiet, peaceful pond, a group of frogs hopped around, enjoying their day. But after a while, they began to feel bored. “We need something exciting!” one frog croaked. “Yes! We want a king to rule over us and make things more interesting!” another frog agreed.

So, they all raised their voices to the sky, asking the gods to send them a king. “Please, give us a king!” they cried. The gods, hearing their request, decided to grant them one. With a mighty splash, a large, heavy log was dropped into the pond. “Here is your king!” the gods declared.

At first, the frogs were thrilled. They all hopped around the log, inspecting their new king. But soon, they realized something. The log didn’t move. It didn’t speak. It didn’t do anything! It just floated there, silently. “This isn’t fun at all!” the frogs grumbled. “We wanted a real king, not a log that just sits there.”

Once again, the frogs raised their voices to the sky. “We want a real king! Someone who will lead us!” they croaked loudly. The gods, hearing their request a second time, decided to send them a new king—this time, a sharp-beaked stork.

The frogs were excited when the stork arrived. But the excitement quickly turned to terror. The stork, hungry and fast, swooped down, snapping up the frogs one by one. In no time, the peaceful pond was filled with fear as the frogs tried to escape the sharp beak of their new king.

Now, instead of being bored, they were in danger. The frogs realized too late that they had asked for something without thinking about the consequences.

“We wanted a king,” one frog whispered to the others as they hid, “but we didn’t think about what kind of king we really needed.”

Moral:

Be careful what you wish for. Sometimes, getting what you ask for may come with consequences you didn’t expect.

Parenting Tip: Teach your child the importance of thinking through their choices and understanding the consequences of what they wish for. Use this story to explain that sometimes, being content with what you have is the best choice.

Fun Questions For Curious Kids

• Why did the frogs want a king in the first place?
• What was wrong with the log as their first king?
• Why was the stork a bad choice for a king?
• What do you think the frogs learned by the end of the story?
• Have you ever wanted something and then realized later it wasn’t as good as you thought?
• What advice would you give the frogs if they wanted to choose another king?
• What does the story teach us about being careful with our wishes?
• Can you think of something you’re happy to have just the way it is?

Did You Know? Fun Facts About Frogs and Storks!

1. Frogs can jump far: Frogs can leap up to 20 times their body length in a single jump!
2. Frogs communicate through croaks: Each species of frog has its own unique croaking sound.
3. Storks are expert hunters: Storks are known for their sharp beaks and are skilled at catching small animals like frogs and fish.
4. Frogs are important to the ecosystem: Frogs help control insect populations and are a vital food source for many animals.
5. Storks are migratory birds: They travel thousands of miles each year to find the best climates for nesting and feeding.
6. Frogs absorb water through their skin: They don’t drink water like most animals; instead, they absorb it directly.
7. Storks symbolize luck in some cultures: In many places, storks are seen as good luck or symbols of new life.

Activity Idea:

“Wishing Wisely” Role-Play

• What You’ll Need: Imagination and a list of fun scenarios.
• How to Play: Take turns making “wishes” and discussing the possible consequences of each one. For example:
  • “I wish for ice cream every day!” (What happens if you get a stomachache?)
  • “I wish I could fly!” (What if you couldn’t stop?)
  • Encourage kids to think about both the fun and the challenges of their wishes.
• Purpose: This helps children understand the importance of thinking ahead and making thoughtful choices.

Download Free Coloring Pages Related To This Story

Bring the story to life with coloring pages designed to spark creativity and make story time even more fun. Coloring helps kids express their creativity, improve focus, and reinforce the story’s themes in a fun, engaging way. After reading together, let them bring the story to life with colors!

Click on any of the free coloring pages below to download or print it!