The Snake and the Frog

Years ago, when I was in the Navy stationed in Newport, R.I., my wife and I were walking along the sand dunes with our daughter France who was five or six years old at the time. France spotted a salamander.

“Look,” she said, pointing her little finger at the lizard. “A frogsnake!” I was fascinated how the left side of her little brain worked with the right side of her little brain to give this unfamiliar creature a name. It reminded me of The Snake and the Frog, an African folktale that I found on the internet:

Note: I took some liberties and changed a few things -- hope that's OK!

Once upon a time in the African rainforest a baby snake set out to play. As he slithered away his mother spoke these words of caution:

"Watch out, my son, for things with claws, for things with beaks, and for things with jaws," she said.

"Claws, beaks and jaws...claws, beak and jaws," the baby snake replied.

At the same time a baby frog set out to play. As he hopped away his mother spoke these words of caution:

"Watch out, my son, for the hiss, watch out for the coil, and watch out for the squeeze,” she said.

"Hiss, coil and squeeze...hiss, coil and squeeze," the baby frog replied.

 The baby snake and the baby frog met in the rainforest and played for most of the day. They agreed, of all the games they played, Hide and Hug was the best. 

That night the baby frog told his mother about the games he played with his new friend the snake.

"No, no, my son!” She said. 

“Hide and Hug is a dangerous game. It is the game of the snake and is not a game for you. You must never play with him again. The next time you hear his hiss you must hop away as quickly as you can!"

Also that night, the baby snake told his mother about the games he played with his new friend the frog.

"No, no, my son!” She said.

“Hide and Hug is NOT a game! This is how you get your food! The next time you see the baby frog you must kill him and eat him!”

The next day the baby frog went to the rainforest to play. He heard the hiss of the baby snake and he hopped away as quickly as he could. The baby snake slithered after him. The baby frog glanced back and he could see the baby snake’s fangs about to tear into his tender flesh. Just then, out of nowhere, a giant eagle swooped down and scooped the baby snake up and carried him into the sky. 

The baby frog stopped, his tiny heart beating wildly...

“That’s it!,” he said.

“From now on I’m playing in the pond with all the other frogs!”

Just then, out of no where, a baby eagle swooped down and scooped the baby frog up and carried him into the sky.

Now we know why the frog and the snake won't be found playing games together; it is against their nature.

Are we frogs and snakes or are we human beings? 

Life is a game that we should all play together. For all men, woman, and children. If you have any thoughts on this post please leave them in the comment section below. And thanks for stopping by!

About the Author  

RC Bonay is an engineer with a passion for writing and drawing. He started reading comic books at an early age and soon discovered he had a flair for telling stories of his own. As he grew, he dreamed of following in the footsteps of comic book legend, Stan Lee. His passion ebbed and his dream faded as it became necessary to pursue a more traditional lifestyle in order to raise his growing family. The dream was rekindled as the youngest of his four children blossomed into young adulthood. 

RC’s vision is best summed up by his mottos; 

“The world would be a better place if we all just learned to draw.” 

“Learn from the best, forget it all, and just write.”