A frog acquaintance named Fred hopped by and jumped into the container to visit Stewart. Fred gave a loud croak and in a flickering flash flew out of the container, screaming to Stewart, “Get out of there, dude! That water’s scorching hot.”
Stewart just smiled and sleepily, smugly replied, “You must not be as tough as I am.”
Fred shook his head, slurped a fly, and hopped back to the cool waters from whence he had come.
Meanwhile, Stewart baked in the hot afternoon sun. He did not realize that the gradual heating of the water in his little container had become life threatening. In his oblivion, complacency, and denial he went back to sleep and with one final croak—he croaked.
His story, now deemed “The Legend of Stew”, continues to be told to young toads as a lesson and warning.
****
I woke up this morning imagining this little story—feeling troubled by the continuing moral decline of our world and thinking of ways I can make a difference. I don’t want to be complacent about the condition of this world and like Stewart, be lulled to sleep.
An Urgent Message from Stewart the Frog
Written by Jeanie Shaw -- Boston, MA Friday, 13 May 2016 10:57
Early one morning Stewart the Frog’s curiosity sent him into the fields beyond his familiar pond. As he explored, he happened upon a container that was filled with water. Hot from hopping, he climbed in to get refreshed and re-hydrated. He was so comfortable in the little container that he fell asleep.
Meanwhile, the sun grew hot overhead. Slowly but surely, the temperature of the water in the container began to rise. Stewart didn’t notice, as he had become accustomed to the gradual change. And besides, he was feeling tired and less alert now. He had no desire to move.
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