In the forests of Gabon, there lived a frog who thought he was the greatest of all animals. His green skin shone in the sun, and his strong legs carried him far. Because of this, Frog grew proud.
One day, at the riverbank, he shouted, “I can jump higher than birds and swim faster than fish. None of you can match me!”
Sparrow tilted her head. “Are you sure? Birds are made to fly, and fish are made to swim.”
But Frog only laughed. “Watch me!”
First, he challenged Sparrow. She spread her wings and soared into the sky. Frog leapt high, almost reaching her, but Sparrow flapped her wings and rose higher, leaving him far below.
Next, Frog raced Tilapia in the river. He swam quickly at first and boasted loudly. But soon, his legs grew tired, and the current pulled him under. “Help!” he cried.
Tilapia rushed to his side and pushed him safely back to shore.
The animals gathered around. Monkey shook his head. “Your pride nearly drowned you.”
Tortoise spoke wisely, “Every creature has its gift. Birds are for the sky, fish are for the water, and frogs are for both. But boasting blinds the heart.”
Humbled, Frog bowed his head. From then on, he stopped boasting and lived quietly among the animals.
Moral of the Story
Pride leads to trouble, but humility brings respect.
Word Helper
- Boastful – talking too proudly about yourself.
- Pride – thinking you are better than others.
- Humbled – learning to be less proud.
- Current – the flow of water in a river.
- Gift – a special ability or talent.
Summary for Parents/Teachers
The Boastful Frog is a folktale from Gabon that teaches children about humility and respect for others. In the story, Frog brags that he can leap higher than birds and swim faster than fish. He challenges Sparrow and Tilapia to contests, but he fails in both. At one point, his pride almost causes him to drown. In the end, he learns that every creature has its own strengths and that boasting only leads to shame.
For children, this story is an engaging way to discuss the dangers of pride. Frog’s mistake is relatable because many young learners enjoy showing their abilities, sometimes without realizing how it affects others. Parents and teachers can use this story to highlight that while confidence is good, it should be balanced with respect and humility.
Culturally, the tale reflects African traditions where animals often serve as characters to teach moral lessons. The forest setting and the use of familiar creatures like Sparrow, Tilapia, and Tortoise make the story both local and universal. It also shows how community wisdom plays a role in guiding behavior, with Tortoise acting as the voice of reason.
In classrooms, the story can be used to spark discussions about teamwork, respect for others, and recognizing that everyone has unique talents. It also offers a chance to compare different animals’ skills and how nature gives each creature its role.
Overall, The Boastful Frog reminds us that strength is not measured by pride but by humility and wisdom.
Discussion Time
Want to discuss this with your child? Here are some questions:
- Why did Frog think he was better than the other animals?
- How did Sparrow and Tilapia show their own strengths?
- What lesson did Tortoise teach Frog at the end?
- How can we show confidence without boasting?
Classroom Activity
Have students draw three animals from the story Frog, Sparrow, and Tilapia showing their special talents (leaping, flying, swimming). Then, let each student share what unique gift they themselves have, just like the animals.
