A Lovely Parable

[Guest guest]

A Parable of Two Frogs

 

A group of frogs were hopping contentedly through the woods, going about

their froggy business, when two of them fell into a deep pit. All of the

other frogs gathered around the pit to see what could be done to help

their companions. When they saw how deep the pit was, the rest of the

dismayed group agreed that it was hopeless and told the two frogs in the

pit that they should prepare themselves for their fate, because they were

as good as dead.

 

Unwilling to accept this terrible fate, the two frogs began to jump with

all of their might. Some of the frogs shouted into the pit that it was

hopeless, and that the two frogs wouldn't be in that situation if they had

been more careful, more obedient to the froggy rules, and more

responsible. The other frogs continued sorrowfully shouting that they

should save their energy and give up, since they were already as good as

dead. The two frogs continued jumping as hard as they could, and after

several hours of desperate effort were quite weary.

 

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to the calls of his fellows. Spent and

disheartened, he quietly resolved himself to his fate, lay down at the

bottom of the pit, and died as the others looked on in helpless grief.

The other frog continued to jump with every ounce of energy he had,

although his body was wracked with pain and he was completely exhausted.

His companions began anew, yelling for him to accept his fate, stop the

pain and just die. The weary frog jumped harder and harder and - wonder

of wonders! finally leapt so high that he sprang from the pit.

 

Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his miraculous freedom and then

gathering around him asked, " Why did you continue jumping when we told you

it was impossible? " Reading their lips, the astonished frog explained to them

that he was deaf, and that when he saw their gestures and shouting, he

thought they were cheering him on. What he had perceived as encouragement

inspired him to try harder and to succeed against all odds.

 

This simple story contains a powerful lesson. The book of Proverbs says,

" There is death and life in the power of the tongue " . Your encouraging

words can lift someone up and help them make it through the day. Your

destructive

words can cause deep wounds; they may be the weapons that destroy

someone's desire to continue trying - or even their life. Your

destructive, careless word can diminish someone in the eyes of others,

destroy their influence and have a lasting impact on the way others respond

to them.

 

Be careful what you say. Speak life to (and about) those who cross your

path. There is enormous power in words. If you have words of kindness,

praise or encouragement - speak them now to, and about, others. Listen to

your heart and respond. Someone, somewhere, is waiting for your words...