In a dense jungle, there lived a frog community near a tranquil pond. The frog leader was a wise old frog who had been guiding his kin for many years. However, one day, a group of venomous snakes appeared in the jungle, endangering the frogs’ peaceful existence.

Snakes, with their sharp fangs and cunning minds, were feared by all animals in the jungle. They would slither around the pond, waiting for an opportunity to strike and eat the unsuspecting frogs. The frogs were terrified, knowing they could not match the deadly snakes.

One day, a young and ambitious frog approached the leader with an idea for protecting his family. “Wise one,” he said, “let us try to reconcile with the snakes. If we give them some food, they might leave us alone.”

The old frog, wise from years of experience, said, “You must be cautious, young one. The nature of venomous snakes cannot be trusted. They may accept your offer, but their desire for power and prey will never be satisfied.

The young frog ignored the warning and approached the snakes’ leader with a proposal. “Great Snake,” he said, “if you and your family agree not to harm us, we will bring you food every day.”

The snake leader, wily and cunning, agreed. “Very well, small frog. We have accepted your offer. Bring us food every day, and we will save your lives.”

For a while, the strategy appeared to work. The frogs would bring insects and small creatures to the snakes, and in exchange, the snakes would leave them alone. But, over time, the snakes became greedy. They demanded more food, and when the frogs were unable to meet their demands, the snakes resumed hunting them.

Desperate, the young frog turned to his wise leader. “What do we do now?” he enquired. “The snakes have broken their promise and attacked us once more.”

The old frog sighed and replied, “The venomous snakes were never really our friends. Their nature is one of theft and deception. By attempting to appease them, we only delayed the inevitable. Sometimes, avoiding danger is preferable to attempting to befriend it.”

Realising his mistake, the young frog and the other frogs devised a new strategy. They decided to relocate to a new pond, far from the snakes, where they could live peacefully. The wise old frog guided them to their new home, teaching them the value of wisdom, caution, and understanding others’ true natures.

### Moral lessons:

1. **Avoid False Promises**: Not everyone who seems friendly has your best interests at heart. People may promise peace and cooperation, but their true intentions could be harmful. It is critical to exercise caution and not blindly trust those with a history of deceit.

2. **Understand the Nature of Others**: Just as snakes cannot change their venomous nature, some people may be motivated by self-interest or malice. Recognising the true character of those around you can help you make more informed decisions.

3. **Courage to Correct Mistakes**: When confronted with the consequences of a poor decision, it is critical to admit the error and take steps to correct it. The young frog learnt from his mistakes and, with the assistance of the wise old frog, devised a plan to protect his community.

4. **Avoid Compromising with Danger**: It is sometimes preferable to avoid compromising with those who are a threat. Trying to appease danger may only postpone harm, not eliminate it. It’s wiser to seek safety and distance from those who cannot be trusted.

#ibpost