Literature

The Frog And His Wives

The Frog And His Wives

Once there lived a Frog who had two wives. His first wife lived in Dumbi and the second wife lived in Dala. He himself lived in a little place between Dumbi and Dala. He went sometimes to Dumbi and sometimes to Dala to see his wives.

Once a little frog came to him and said, “Come to Dumbi, please! Your first wife has a nice pudding for you. Come at once while the pudding is hot!” The Frog was very happy because he liked puddings very much.

He was ready to go when another little frog came up to him and said, “Please, come to Dala! Your second wife has a nice pudding for you. Come at once while the pudding is hot!”

The Frog sat down and began to think.

“If I go to my first wife for the pudding, my second wife will be sorry and angry. If I go to my second wife for the pudding, my first wife will be sorry and angry, too. Where shall I go to Dumbi or to Dala?” He sat and thought for a long time.

And he stayed at home and began to cry “oh! Where shall I go, where shall I go?” Now, when you hear frogs gaou, gaou, gaou, you will understand that it means: “Where shall I go? Where shall I go? Go Go Go?”

“How bad it is to have two wives who make puddings at the same time.”