From the Inspire21 archive, collected since 2000. Original author often unknown. About our story labels
A group of frogs were traveling through the forest when two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that there was no hope left for them.
However, the two frogs ignored their comrades and proceeded to try to jump out of the pit. However, despite their efforts, the group of frogs at the top of the pit were still saying that they should just give up as they’d never make it out.
Eventually, one of the frogs took heed of what the others were saying and he gave up, jumping even deeper to his death. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the group of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and to just die.
He ignored them, and jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, “Did you not hear us?”
The frog explained to them that he was deaf, and that he thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
Moral of the story: People’s words can have a huge effect on the lives of others. Therefore, you should think about what you’re going to say before it comes out of your mouth – it might just be the difference between life and death.
Reading this aloud?
- Good for
- A sermon opener, a Sunday school lesson or a senior group devotion
- Time
- About 2 minutes read aloud
- Fits a lesson on
- power of words, encouragement, perseverance, kindness
Tip: Slow down as the frogs ask, "Did you not hear us?" and pause briefly before revealing he was deaf, letting the surprise land before reading the moral.
Questions to talk about
- How do you think the deaf frog felt while he was jumping, and why did it make such a difference?
- When has someone's encouragement helped you keep going through something hard?
- What words do you hear from others, or tell yourself, that make it harder to keep trying?
- What are some ways we can be the encouraging voices for someone in our family or community this week?
Lead a group every week? Get the free large-print Read-Aloud Pack, four stories with questions and memory care prompts, ready to print.
From inspire21.com/a-group-of-frogs/
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