Hello everyone,
This is Amita and today we are going to listen to a story named Two Frogs in Trouble,
Based on a fable told by Paramhansa Yogananda.
Big Frog snoozed near the pond as the sun warmed the great hump off his back.
What a great day to do nothing,
He thought.
But Little Frog bounced in and out of the sunshine and he hopped from toadstool to pond and back again.
It was morning at the farm and the Little Frog was ready for fun.
Wake up,
Wake up,
He called to the Big Frog.
It's time to play.
Plip,
Plip,
Plip,
Little Frog took off for the pond.
The Big Frog's eyes were wide open now.
Plop,
Plop,
Plop.
He followed Little Frog and together they crossed the pond onto the barnyard,
Playing leapfrog and hide and seek along the way.
They were having such fun that they forgot it was milking time at the barn.
Plop,
Plop.
They jumped straight into a pail of fresh milk.
The sides of the pail were very slippery and the frogs couldn't get out.
Help,
Help,
Yelled Big Frog.
But it was no use.
No one came.
Hoping somehow to escape,
The frogs paddled in circles around the milk pail.
They swam for hours.
The Big Frog began to swim slower and slower.
Suddenly he groaned.
Why should we keep trying?
We will die in this pail.
I am so tired.
I can't swim any longer.
Keep on,
Keep on,
Cheered Little Frog as he splashed around the pail.
You must have courage or you will drown.
Don't give up.
And so they went on together for a while.
But soon the Big Frogs stopped swimming.
Little friend,
He gasped,
It's no use.
We can't get out.
I am going to quit trying.
And so he did.
Now only Little Frog was left.
He said to himself,
Well if I give up,
I will be dead.
So I will keep swimming.
Two more hours passed and Little Frog's leg could hardly move.
I can't swim another stroke,
He moaned.
But then he thought of what happened to the Big Frog.
With every speck of strength in him,
Little Frog cried out.
Even if I die trying,
I won't give up.
While there is life,
There is hope.
Bursting with courage,
Little Frog felt tingling new life and energy coming into his legs.
He raced around and around the milk pail.
Splash,
Splash,
Splash for a long time.
That was the only sound he heard.
But then he began to hear a new sound.
The white waves had turned to the thickest cream.
Now it was even harder to swim.
The Little Frog kept on with all his might.
Finally he felt something under him.
He looked down and saw his feet resting on a small hill.
His swimming had churned to milk the butter.
With a great leap of joy,
The Little Frog jumped out of the pail to freedom.
That night as he hopped happily through the tall grass,
Little Frog smiled up at the moon and thought,
Now I know it's true.
There is always hope.
From now on I will never give up.
And he never did.
