Rumours spread of a ravenous snake that was working its way up the river, consuming everything in its path. There were often rumours of this kind, and they were often untrue or exaggerated, so before the frogs upped and fled their peaceful home, they sent out two scouts to find the truth.

The scouts travelled through the night and at dawn they did indeed come across the sloughed skin of a huge snake. “We must return and warn the others immediately,” said one. “No, we must be sure,” replied the other. “We must wait until we set eyes on the beast.”

But the beast saw them first.

In an instant it had seized one scout in its greedy jaws and swallowed. Meanwhile, the other leapt onto the its back and clung to its scales for dear life. The snake could feel it up there, but didn’t seem to mind. It carried the frog with it as it wrought panic and destruction on the neighbourhood.

Eventually, having eaten its fill, the snake found a crevice and curled up to rest. The frog scout rolled off. The snake opened an eye. “Did you enjoy the ride?” it asked. “Please, don’t kill me,” begged the frog. “You were in no danger,” the snake assured him. “As you will have seen, only those who get in my way come to harm.

When the frogs saw the scout return alone, they were on the verge of panic. “So it is true!” the cried. “There is a snake coming to destroy us.” “Yes and no,” the scout replied. “I mean, there is a snake, yes. But it will only harm you if you get in its way.” “Is that what happened to your partner?” the frogs asked. “That’s exactly what happened,” the scout confirmed.

The next day the snake arrived among the frogs.

© Richard Parkin 2025

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