Story on breaking one’s own limitations: Flying Frog

Once upon a time, there was a village of frogs.  That village was inside a well and thus those frogs believed that there was no more to the world than the walls of the well, the tiny islands, the darkness and a small sky. 

 

In that village, the resources were scarce so no frogs trusted any body.  Even in that small group there were sub-groups.  Like the sky was small, the hearts of the frogs inside was also small.  Like the walls of the well were slippery, the frogs were cunning, over-smart and intelligent.  Whenever someone tried the jump to the sky, all the rest would ridicule him. The sky was too high even for the strongest frog to jump out.  In this way, many generations passed.  Among them, there were heroes.  But there heroes were honored not for bravery but for cowardice.  Who is the least polite, who is the most repulsive, who is the most selfish, who is the least team player, who is the worst leader? 

 

Then one day, a frog fell from the sky.  Every body was amazed.  All the frogs from the well gathered around him in awe.  The sky frog was still dazed but soon he realized he had fallen in a well.  He looked around and did not like what he saw.  There was no greenery, no infinite sky.  Of course there were no snakes.  But he thought it was better to be eaten by a snake than get stuck in this well with these weird frogs. 

 

Soon the well frogs and the sky frog started to communicate.  The sky frog explained to them the beauty and challenges of the world outside and the well frogs explained to them the safety and limitations of the world inside.  Some of the well frogs were inspired by the enthusiasm and positive outlook of the sky frog. He was so happy, he took no side, he was highly intelligent but he used it to help the other frogs solve their problems.  Most of the well frogs, however did not believe him and talked behind his back. 

 

In this way days passed and the sky frog was tired of the well and the boring well frogs.  He gathered some of the well-frogs who were inspired by him and brainstormed on how to escape from here.  First they decided to jump.  But it did not work.  Again the other well frogs teased them.  But the sky frog reassured his frogs not to be bothered.  “Outside the well, some of my frog friends have already mastered the art of flying,” he said. 

 

Next they tried to stand on top of each other.  This required immense trust.  The well frogs were not used to such level of trust.  But the sky frog motivated them by telling them how great they were.  Slowly they reached higher.  Then when they nearly reached the top, they lost balance and all went down into the water.  All were despaired.  But the sky frog said, “Frog proposes and God provides.  We have tried our best, now god will help us. Just see.” Just as he said thus, there was noise outside the well, like a thunder storm and then a bucket fell in.  Everyone was scared.  The bucket pulled the water up.  Then another storm and another bucket fell. 

 

This time the sky frog, knowing this as an opportunity, valuing freedom more than his life, jumped into the bucket.  The well frogs who supported him also jumped in.  All of them reached outside. The sky frog jumped and all followed. 

 

Once outside the well frogs realized how ignorant they were and they began to investigate the world so they could understand what life was really about. 

 

Thereafter, the ex-well frogs became highly learned, successful and rich and the sky frog was now a flying frog.