The Arrogant Frog And The Superior Bull

Once, on a time and in a place     Conducive to malaria,     There lived a member of the race     Of Rana Temporaria;     Or, more concisely still, a frog     Inhabited a certain bog.     A bull of Brobdingnagian size,     Too proud for condescension,     One morning chanced to cast his eyes     Upon the frog I mention;     And, being to the manner born,     Surveyed him with a lofty scorn.     Perceiving this, the bactrian's frame     With anger was inflated,     Till, growing larger, he became     Egregiously elated;     For inspiration's sudden spell     Had pointed out a way to swell.     "Ha! ha!" he proudly cried, "a fig     For this, your mammoth torso!     Just watch me while I grow as big     As you--or even more so!"     To which magniloquential gush     His bullship simply answered "Tush!"     Alas! the frog's success was slight,     Which really was a wonder,     In view of how with main and might     He strove to grow rotunder!     And, standing patiently the while,     The bull displayed a quiet smile.     But ah, the frog tried once too oft     And, doing so, he busted;     Whereat the bull discreetly coughed     And moved away, disgusted,     As well he might, considering     The wretched taste that marked the thing.     THE MORAL: Everybody knows     How ill a wind it is that blows.