How the frog defeated the bird and the spider in reaching the sun

By George Olwalo

Long time ago, the small and big animals lived in peace and harmony. They made the elephant to be their king. At one time it rained heavily and this made it impossible for other animals to engage in other activities. The endless downpour angered the elephant. He thought that sun could help if it shone fiercely. He called a meeting to share the idea with other animals.

At the meeting the animals said that a letter should be written and someone should deliver the letter to the sun. A reward was to be offered to the animal who would deliver the letter to the sun. At the mention of the word reward the bird jumped up saying that the job should be left to him.

“I don’t think any other animal can take the letter. Since I roam the sky year in year out the job should be entirely left for me,” he said boastfully. The spider too said that the job should be left to him since he can build a web that can reach the sky. Lastly the frog stood up and said that he is not so sure but he can try.

The following day bird flew to the sky but when he reached near thesun the sun’s hotness scared him and thinking that he would melt, he flew downward fast. The spider too attempted to build a web but on the way he realised that a web that would reach the sun would take him many years tobuild. He too gave up. The frog knew that his only way to the sun’s place was through sun’s servants whom he sent daily to draw water for him from the earth.

The servants came and he let himself into a jug used for drawing water. The servants never noticed him. once they were at the sun’s place, the servants lowered the containers and the frog jumped, removed the letter from his mouth and he gave the letter to the sun. The sun read the letter and agreed to wage war with rain.

Soon after, the sun shone and rain stopped. Elephant made the frog his chief adviser. Lesson: it pays to be humble.