4534897Poems — The Jay and the FrogClara A. Merrill
THE JAY AND THE FROG
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A blue-jay sat on a hickory limb,And a bullfrog sat below On a tuft of grass, where rushes green Were waving to and fro. While near him lay the glassy pool Where the tad-poles leap'd in play; But the old frog's face wore a troubled frown As he thus addressed the jay:—
"Did I wear your dress of brilliant hue Instead of this coat of green; I could have the best the world affords, And always live serene. You fly away to the fields of grain Or feast on the cherries high; While I sit here 'neath the rushes cool,And snap at a wary fly."
"Then why," said the jay, "If you wish to rise Do you not ascend this limb?' "I will! I will!" cried the silly frog, I'm tired of folks that swim!'So he hopped from the tuft of grass to the tree, Then up where the branches divide; Then with a grin he crawled along And perched by the blue-jay's side.
"I'm big as you, I'm big as you'Cried the frog in greatest glee;"I wish my friends could see me now—In this high society!"—But his joy waned.—As a flock of jays With one accord did rise And, swooping down, they pecked at him With harsh and jeering cries.
'Till he was forced to quick retreat.—As the rushes green he seeks He said, as he leaped in the quiet pool And escaped their cruel beaks:—If this is the way the 'high class' treats The lowly ones, 'tis clear 'Tis best that we should be content To stay in our native sphere!
Moral
When proud Ambition seeks to rise From its accustomed ways; Oft jealousies will jeer and peck,As did the haughty jays.
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To all who chance to read this tale,Its simple warning speaks,—"Ye who aspire to sphere's aloft—Beware of vicious beaks!"
