The Sweet-Scented Name/Frogs
Frogs
TWO frogs met, one a little older, the other a little younger. Said the older: "Can you croak in other ways?"
"Rather," said the younger, "I should think I could."
"Then go ahead," said the elder.
The younger frog then began to croak in this way:
"Kva … kva-kva …" and tried various tones, but the elder cried out:
"Oh, ho, you're only croaking Russian just the same."
"How else should I croak?" asked the younger.
"Well in French for instance," replied the elder.
"No one croaks in French," said the younger.
"Yes they do," said the elder.
"Then you do it," said the younger.
"Kvew, kvew, kvew," said the elder.
"I can do that," said the younger.
"Go ahead, then," said the elder.
"Kvee, kvee, kvee," said the younger one, trying.
But the elder one laughed and cried out: "That sounds more like German than French, you with your kvee."
The younger one tried hard but couldn't make kvew. Cried a little and then said:
"Russian frogs croak better than French ones—more clearly."