THE FROGS, grieved at having no established Ruler, sent ambassadors to Jupiter entreating for a King. Perceiving their simplicity, he cast down a huge log into the lake. —
青蛙们悲伤地发现自己没有一位确定的领袖，于是派使节前往朱庇特那里恳请一位国王。朱庇特看出他们的愚蠢，便把一根巨大的木头丢进湖里。 —

The Frogs were terrified at the splash occasioned by its fall and hid themselves in the depths of the pool. —
木头掉进湖里，激起了巨大的水花，青蛙吓得藏到水池的深处。 —

But as soon as they realized that the huge log was motionless, they swam again to the top of the water, dismissed their fears, climbed up, and began squatting on it in contempt. —
但很快他们意识到那根巨大的木头是静止不动的，就又游到了水面上，失去了害怕的心情，爬上木头，嘲笑它。 —

After some time they began to think themselves ill-treated in the appointment of so inert a Ruler, and sent a second deputation to Jupiter to pray that he would set over them another sovereign. —
过了一段时间，青蛙们开始觉得自己被任命了一位如此无用的统治者，于是又派了第二批使节到朱庇特那里祈祷他能给他们另选一位君主。 —

He then gave them an Eel to govern them. —
这一次他们被给了一条鳝鱼来统治。当青蛙们发现鳝鱼任性而好斗时，他们第三次派使节到朱庇特那里，请求他再选择一名国王。朱庇特对他们的抱怨感到不悦，于是派来了一只捕食青蛙的苍鹭，每天都在湖上捕食青蛙，直到湖上再也没有青蛙的声音。 —

When the Frogs discovered his easy good nature, they sent yet a third time to Jupiter to beg him to choose for them still another King. Jupiter, displeased with all their complaints, sent a Heron, who preyed upon the Frogs day by day till there were none left to croak upon the lake.
最终，湖上的青蛙全部丧生。