“Do not disturb it; there has been some secret in connection with it. Perhaps our mother gave it to him, for I have often seen her look longingly at it.”
Thus the old man was buried with the ring, which was supposed to be a wishing-ring, but which, as we know, was not, though it brought the old couple more good fortune and happiness than all the wishing in the world could ever have given them.
King of the Frogs[14]
Once upon a time—so long ago that the oldest frog now living does not remember it—all the frogs of a far-away country came together in solemn council.
“I propose,” said a big green fellow with a very deep voice, “that we ask to have a king appointed to rule over us.”
“What do we want of a king?” asked a small and inquisitive frog.
But his voice was hardly heard, for all the other frogs shouted together, “Yes, let us have a king. Let us have a king.”
“Haven’t we all we need, now, to make us happy?” asked the little, inquisitive frog again. But nobody paid the slightest attention to him.
So the other frogs sent a request to the Great Ruler of the land, asking that he appoint a king to rule over them.