Aesop

The Frogs Who Wished for a King

Die Frösche, die sich einen König wünschten

Tired of governing themselves, the frogs petition Jupiter for a king who will rule them with pomp and display. He answers by throwing a huge log into the water. The frogs hide in fear at first, but soon find their new king tame, and the complaints begin again.

B15 minAudio

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How it begins

EnglishGerman

The frogs were tired of governing themselves.

Die Frösche waren es leid, sich selbst zu regieren.

They had so much freedom that it had spoiled them. They did nothing but sit around croaking in boredom and wishing for a government that would entertain them with the show and splendor of royalty, and rule them in a way that made them feel they were being ruled.

Sie hatten so viel Freiheit, dass sie sie verwöhnt hatte. Sie taten nichts anderes, als gelangweilt herumzusitzen, zu quaken und sich eine Regierung zu wünschen, die sie mit dem Glanz und der Pracht des Königtums unterhalten würde und sie so regierte, dass sie spürten, dass sie regiert wurden.

They didn't want a weak government, they declared. So they sent a request to Jupiter, asking for a king.

Sie wollten keine schwache Regierung, erklärten sie. Also schickten sie eine Bitte an Jupiter und verlangten nach einem König.

The opening paragraphs, as the reader shows them. Read on

Languages

The Frogs Who Wished for a King · English (original)B1 Intermediate · 283 words · ~5 min · Audio
Die Frösche, die sich einen König wünschten · GermanB1 Intermediate · 288 words · ~5 min · Audio
Τα βατράχια που ζητούσαν βασιλιά · GreekB1 Intermediate · 277 words · ~5 min
Las ranas que querían un rey · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 289 words · ~5 min · Audio
Les grenouilles qui voulaient un roi · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 313 words · ~5 min · Audio
मेंढक जो राजा चाहते थे · HindiB1 Intermediate · 317 words · ~5 min
Katak-Katak yang Menginginkan Seorang Raja · IndonesianB1 Intermediate · 263 words · ~5 min
Le rane che volevano un re · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 291 words · ~5 min
王様を欲しがったカエルたち · JapaneseB1 Intermediate
왕을 원한 개구리들 · KoreanB1 Intermediate · 193 words · ~5 min
De kikkers die om een koning vroegen · DutchB1 Intermediate · 304 words · ~5 min
Żaby, które chciały króla · PolishB1 Intermediate · 227 words · ~5 min
Os Sapos que Queriam um Rei · PortugueseB1 Intermediate · 284 words · ~5 min
Broaștele care își doreau un rege · RomanianB1 Intermediate · 294 words · ~5 min
Kral İsteyen Kurbağalar · TurkishB1 Intermediate · 223 words · ~5 min
Những chú ếch muốn có vua · VietnameseB1 Intermediate · 388 words · ~5 min
想要国王的青蛙 · ChineseB1 Intermediate

Questions

Which languages can I read The Frogs Who Wished for a King in?

English, German, Greek, Spanish, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish, Vietnamese and Chinese. Pick the language you want to read and the one to keep beside it: every paragraph sits next to its translation, so you can check a sentence without losing your place.

What level is it?

The original English is B1 Intermediate. In translation, German, Greek, Spanish, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish, Vietnamese and Chinese are B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from Pre-A1 (starter) to C2.

How long is it?

About 283 words: around 5 min of reading, with the translation beside it. The time depends on the edition's level: an easier edition is read more slowly.

Is it free?

Yes. Read it online with no account. The downloads (PDF, EPUB, and AZW3 and MOBI for Kindle) need a free account.

Can I read it on a Kindle or Kobo?

Yes. Download the EPUB for Kobo, Apple Books and most e-readers, or the AZW3 or MOBI for a Kindle, with each paragraph followed by its translation. There is also a side-by-side PDF to print, and each language on its own.

The Frogs Who Wished for a King

How it begins

Languages

Questions

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