Three young frogs, who were as yet unwise about the ways of the world, were out one day, exploring their environment. They came to the dairy and bold as brass entered to investigate. There was a bucket and eager to know more about it, two of them jumped right into it. Splash! The third being ever so slightly more timid only jumped onto the top rim of the bucket and looked down at his two comrades struggling below to jump out of a white substance. Neither he nor they knew it was milk! After some failed attempts, he shouted down to them, "You'll never make it. Face facts and prepare to die!" But since self-preservation is the first rule of life for humans and animals alike, they continued to struggle for as long as possible. The frog on top continued to shout down, "You'll never make it. Give up and die peacefully". Unfortunately one of the two struggling frogs could not continue and disappeared below the surface never to be seen again. The one remaining continued despite the discouragement of his comrade on top of the bucket. After a short while his feet had a soft yellow substance to stand on. He had made butter out of the cream on top of the milk. No sooner had he enough for a foothold than he positioned himself and jumped clean out of the bucket! When rejoined by his comrade he thanked him profusely for all the encouragement he shouted down to him. He would never have made it without his help. The frog who survived was deaf!
Another version of the story is also circulating which I have added below, again unfortunately the author is unknown but if you know please e-mail me so that I can acknowledge. Thanks.
Two frogs fell into a deep cream bowl
One was an optimistic soul
But the other took the gloomy view
"We shall drown," he said without more ado
So with a last despairing cry
he flung out his legs and said goodby.
Quote the other frog with a merry grin
"I can't get out but I won't give in
I will just swim around 'til my strength is spent
And then I will die the more content."
Bravely he swam 'til it would seem
His struggles began to churn the cream
On top of the butter he gladly stopped
and out of the bowl he gaily hopped.
What it the moral?
It's easily found:
If you can't hop out
Keep swimming around.