Zhuangzi
|
China

The Frog in the Well

A happy frog in a small well meets a sea turtle and learns about the vast, wonderful world beyond his home.
Knowledge
Wisdom
Adaptability
The Book of Chuang Tzu - The Frog in the Well
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, in a tiny well tucked away in a vast forest, there lived a happy little frog. This small world was everything the frog had ever known. He hopped along the edges, swam in the cool water, and played games with his friends, the crabs and minnows. He truly believed he had the best life imaginable.

One sunny day, a large turtle came lumbering through the forest. He was a traveler from the distant Eastern Sea, a place vast and deep, filled with wonders the little frog could not possibly imagine.

Hearing the splashes of the frog's play, the turtle peered into the well. Seeing the visitor, the frog called out, "Hey there, friend! I have the most wonderful life here in my well. I hop, swim, and play all day. And the best part is, I'm the master of all I can see! Why don't you come down and join the fun?"

Intrigued, the turtle decided to try. But, oh dear! The well was too small for him! He tried to squeeze in, but he got stuck before he could even properly see the well's interior. Realizing it was impossible, he retreated, then sat near the well's edge and described his home, the Eastern Sea.

"My home," began the turtle, "is so vast, it stretches further than your eyes can see. It's so deep that no one's ever touched the bottom. In the Eastern Sea, water moves in waves taller than the tallest trees in this forest. There are creatures of all shapes and sizes, some colorful, some mysterious, but all wonderful. Our sea is so big that it doesn't matter if it rains for years or there's drought, it stays the same."

The frog listened, his eyes growing wider and wider. For the first time, he realized that there was a world beyond his well, one that was vast and endlessly fascinating. He tried to imagine the waves the turtle described, the depth, the creatures, but he found he couldn't. It was beyond anything he'd ever known.

As the turtle ambled off, continuing his travels, the frog was left at the edge of his little well. He realized that even though his home was comfortable and familiar, there was an entire world out there, full of unimaginable sights and experiences.

And so, the little frog decided that perhaps it was time for him to take a leap and explore beyond the brick walls of his well. After all, there was a whole wide world waiting for him, ready to show him how wonderful and big it could truly be.

In a small forest, there is a little well. In the well, a happy frog lives. He hops around and swims in the cool water. He has friends, the crabs and the fish. The frog thinks his life is the best.

One day, a big turtle comes to the forest. The turtle comes from a big sea. The sea is very big and deep. It has many amazing things.

The turtle hears the frog. He looks into the well. The frog sees the turtle and says, "Hello, friend! My life here is fun. I hop, swim, and play all day. I can see everything here. Why don’t you come and play?"

The turtle tries to fit into the well. But the well is too small. The turtle cannot get in. He backs out and talks about his home.

"My home," says the turtle, "is very big. It is so big, you cannot see the end. It is so deep. No one can touch the bottom. The sea has big waves. Many animals live there. Some are bright and colorful. Some are different. It is always the same, even if it rains or not."

The frog listens. His eyes get big. He thinks about the big world outside his well. He tries to picture the waves and the animals. It is hard to imagine.

The turtle leaves. The frog stays at the edge of his well. He thinks about the big world. Maybe it is time to leave the well and see new things. A big world is out there, waiting for him.

Once upon a time, in a small well deep in a large forest, a happy little frog made his home. This tiny place was all the frog knew. He hopped around, swam in the cool water, and played with his friends, the crabs and the minnows. He thought he was living the best life.

One sunny day, a big turtle came into the forest. He had traveled far from the Eastern Sea, a huge and deep body of water with many amazing things.

When the turtle heard the frog playing, he looked into the well. The frog saw the visitor and shouted, "Hello there, friend! My life here in this well is wonderful. I hop, swim, and play all day. I can see everything, and I'm in charge! Why don’t you come down and join the fun?"

Curious, the turtle tried to fit into the well. But, oh no! The well was too small for him! He tried to squeeze in but got stuck. Realizing it was no use, he backed out and started talking about his home, the Eastern Sea.

"My home," the turtle began, "is so huge, it goes beyond where your eyes can reach. It’s so deep, no one has ever touched the bottom. The Eastern Sea has waves taller than the highest trees here. It's filled with many different creatures, some bright and colorful, some mysterious, all amazing. It’s so large that whether it rains for years or not at all, it remains the same."

Listening, the frog’s eyes got bigger and bigger. For the first time, he understood that there was a much larger world beyond his well. He tried to picture the waves, the depth, and the creatures the turtle talked about, but it was hard to imagine. It was all so new to him.

As the turtle left to continue his journey, the frog stayed at the edge of his small well. He realized that even though his home was cozy and familiar, there was a huge, wonderful world out there, full of things he had never seen or experienced.

And so, the little frog decided it might be time to leave his well and explore. A great big world was waiting out there to show him how beautiful and vast it could really be.

Once upon a time, in a teeny-tiny well nestled deep within a sprawling forest, there lived a spirited little frog. He took immense pride in his small world, believing it to be the epitome of luxury. "Ah, the good life," he'd muse, as he sunbathed on a lily pad. Every other day, he'd throw splash-tastic parties, where his crab pals would showcase their latest dance moves, and the minnows would compete in synchronized swimming routines. To him, this well was the center of the universe, and he was its undisputed star.

One warm afternoon, as the frog was practicing his belly flop, the ground vibrated with the steady approach of a grand turtle. This turtle, donning a backpack and oversized sunglasses, looked like he'd traveled miles and had tales to tell.

Spotting the well and hearing the playful splashes, the turtle ambled over. "Hello down there!" he bellowed, peering curiously into the well. "Quite the party you've got!"

The frog, always one to boast, replied with a grin, "Best spot in the forest! Dive in, the water's just right. And you know what? I'm the big fish here, well, metaphorically speaking."

The turtle, intrigued, attempted to join. But as he tried to descend, he found himself a tad too... robust for the well's entrance. "Well, this is a bit snug," he mused, wiggling his legs in the air before pulling himself out. "Seems I've had one too many seaweed snacks on my travels."

Settling comfortably by the well, the turtle began, "Your home is charming, but have you ever heard of the Eastern Sea? Imagine your well, but on a scale that'd boggle your mind! Endless waters, waves that challenge the forest's tallest trees in height, and creatures that are a riot of colors and shapes. There's even this particular fish that thinks it's a comedian. Keeps asking other fish if they've seen his missing sock. I mean, fish don't wear socks!"

The frog's eyes widened with every word, his imagination racing. The vastness and wonders of the Eastern Sea were almost too much to fathom. "That sounds... unbelievable," he finally managed.

The turtle gave a knowing nod. "It's a big world out there, beyond the walls of this well. Adventures and sights you wouldn't believe."

As the turtle resumed his journey, the frog was left with a newfound sense of wonder. The comfort of his well was undeniable, but the allure of the unknown was irresistible. Maybe, just maybe, it was time to venture out and see what the world had to offer. The thought of comedic fish and vast oceans was too enticing to resist. And with a determined leap, the frog's grand adventure began.

In a well, deep in the woods, not too far,
Lived a jolly frog, who felt he was a star.
In this cozy space, he'd jump and sway,
With crabby friends and minnows, he'd play all day.

He thought, "This well, it's perfect, no doubt!
There's no better place, I'm sure, about."
But one day, as the sun shone so bright,
A big turtle appeared, a majestic sight.

From the Eastern Sea, the turtle hailed,
A world so vast, where big ships sailed.
He heard the frog's splash and came to see,
But the well was too tight, no space to be free.

"Oh little frog," said the turtle with glee,
"My sea's so big, it's hard to believe!
Waves taller than trees, creatures galore,
Colors and mysteries, adventures and more!"

The frog was amazed, his mind began to whirl,
His tiny well felt smaller, as stories unfurl.
The turtle left, but the frog stayed behind,
Dreaming of vast seas, in his little mind.

Though his well was snug, and all things were fine,
The frog yearned for more, to see the sunshine.
He thought of the sea, the waves, and the sky,
And decided to leap out, to spread wings and fly.

For beyond his well, the world was vast and wide,
Full of wonders and joys, waiting outside.

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Word Finder

  1. Forest

    A place with many trees and animals.

  2. Well

    A deep hole with water inside it.

  3. Hops

    Jumps up and down with both feet.

  4. Amazing

    Very, very good and surprising to see.

  5. Wave

    Water that moves up and down in the sea.

  6. Bright

    Very strong and clear light or color.

  7. Colorful

    Having many different colors together.

  8. Imagine

    To think about something not real.

  9. Edge

    The outside limit or border of something.

  10. Picture

    To make a mental image of something.

  1. Well

    Deep hole in ground for water.

  2. Forest

    Large area covered with trees.

  3. Turtle

    Slow-moving animal with hard shell.

  4. Minnows

    Small freshwater fish, usually very tiny.

  5. Squeeze

    Press something tightly, often too tight.

  6. Realizing

    Suddenly understanding something.

  7. Beyond

    Further away than something else.

  8. Creature

    Any living animal or being.

  9. Mysterious

    Something strange and not understood.

  10. Journey

    Traveling from one place to another.

Understanding Questions

  1. Where does the happy frog live?

    1. In a tree
    2. In a well
    3. In a pond
    4. In a lake
  2. Who comes to the forest one day?

    1. A big frog
    2. A small turtle
    3. A big turtle
    4. A little crab
  3. What does the frog like to do in the well?

    1. Run and jump
    2. Hop, swim, and play
    3. Sleep and eat
    4. Walk and sing
  4. Why can't the turtle get into the well?

    1. He is too small.
    2. He is too slow.
    3. He is too big.
    4. He is too old.
  5. What does the frog think about after the turtle leaves?

    1. The turtle's big home
    2. The fish in the well
    3. The small forest
    4. The crabs in the well
  1. Where did the frog live and what did he do there?
  2. Who visited the frog one day, and where did this visitor come from?
  3. Why couldn't the turtle join the frog in the well?
  4. How did the turtle describe his home in the Eastern Sea?
  5. How did the frog feel after hearing about the Eastern Sea and what did he decide to do?
  1. What was the frog's perspective on his life in the well before meeting the turtle?
  2. How did the turtle describe the size and characteristics of his home, the Eastern Sea?
  3. What caused the frog to realize that there was a much larger world beyond his well?
  4. Why couldn't the turtle join the frog in the well, despite his efforts?
  5. What decision did the frog make after hearing about the Eastern Sea from the turtle?

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the Frog thought his well was the best place in the world?
  2. How did the Turtle's descriptions of the ocean make the Frog feel about his own home?
  3. Can you remember a time when you discovered something much bigger or more exciting than you initially knew?
  4. What does this story teach us about the importance of being open to new experiences and learning about the world beyond what we already know?
  5. How can we apply the lessons from this story in our own lives to continue learning and exploring?

Fable Quotes

True knowledge begins when we embrace the vastness of the world beyond our familiar boundaries.
Wisdom comes from recognizing that there's always more to see, learn, and experience.
Embracing change leads to new adventures and a richer life.
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