An Ox drinking at a pool
trod on a brood of young frogs and crushed one of
them to death. The Mother coming up, and missing
one of her sons, inquired of his brothers what had
become of him. “He is dead, dear Mother;
for just now a very huge beast with four great feet
came to the pool and crushed him to death with his
cloven heel.” The Frog, puffing herself
out, inquired, “if the beast was as big as that
in size.” “Cease, Mother, to puff
yourself out,” said her son, “and do not
be angry; for you would, I assure you, sooner burst
than successfully imitate the hugeness of that monster.”
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