Japanese Folk Tale: The Two Frogs

A long time ago in the country of Japan there lived two frogs. One of the frogs lived in a ditch near the town of Osaka. The other frog lived in a clear stream in the town of Kyoto. Living so far apart, the frogs had never heard of one another. Funnily enough, both frogs decided at the same moment to see a little of the world. The frog from Osaka wanted to see Kyoto and the frog from Kyoto wanted to travel to Osaka.

So one fine morning the two frogs set out on their way along the road between Osaka and Kyoto. The journey was more tiring than either frog had expected since neither knew much about travelling. About halfway between the towns there arose a high mountain which had to be climbed. It took them a long time and many hops to reach the top at last. To their great surprise they each saw the other frog before him!

They looked at each other for quite awhile before falling into conversation, explaining the cause of their meeting so far from their homes. They were delighted to hear that they both wished to see a little more of their country. Since they were not in a hurry, they stretched out in a cool, damp place and agreed to rest for awhile before parting ways.

"What a pity that we are not taller" said the Osaka frog. "Then we could see both towns from here and see if it is worth our effort to continue on." Oh, that is easily managed" said the Kyoto frog. "We only have to stand on our hind legs and hold onto each other. Then we can easily look at the towns that we are travelling to."

The idea so pleased the Osaka frog that he jump up at once and placed his front paws on his new friend's shoulders. The Kyoto frog also rose up. There they stood, on their hind legs, stretching themselves as high as they could. They held each other tightly so that they wouldn't fall down. The Osaka frog turned towards Kyoto and the Kyoto frog faced towards Osaka. The foolish frogs forgot that when they stood up their large eyes layed in the back of their heads. Their noses pointed in the direction that they wanted to go but their eyes beheld the places from which they had come.

"Oh my!" said the Osaka frog. "Kyoto is exactly like Osaka. It is certainly not worth such a long journey. I shall go home!"

The Kyoto frog exclaimed "If I had any idea that Osaka was a copy of Kyoto I would never have travelled all this way!" As he spoke, he took his hands off his friend's shoulders and they both fell down to the grass. Then, they both bid a polite farewell to each other and then set on their way home.

To the end of their lives they both believed that Osaka and Kyoto which are as different as two towns can be, were as alike as two peas.