Handsome and Theodore

In an old stone well lived a large family of frogs. Their king, Theodore, often quarrelled with a group of proud relatives who mocked his decisions. Angry and impatient, he climbed out of the well to find someone who would frighten them into obedience.

Near a crumbling wall he met an elderly black snake named Handsome. The snake was too slow to hunt as he once had. Theodore said, “Come to my well. I will show you the frogs who trouble me, and you may chase only them away.” Handsome agreed, though a snake was a strange and dangerous ally for a frog.

Theodore led him through a hidden crack. At first Handsome followed the rule and scared the quarrelsome frogs from the well. Theodore felt victorious. But when those rivals were gone, the snake said, “I am still hungry. You brought me here, so you must provide more.”

Theodore suddenly understood his mistake. A danger invited inside would not politely stop when asked. Day after day, every frog hid from Handsome, and the once-lively well became silent. Theodore told the snake that he would visit nearby ponds and bring back food.

Once outside, Theodore hurried to a safe pool and warned the surviving frogs. Handsome later sent a lizard with a message: “Your old friend is waiting. Come home.” Theodore replied, “Tell Handsome that hunger forgets promises. I will never return to that well.”

The frog king found a new home and became a more thoughtful leader. He still corrected quarrels, but he used fair rules and patient conversation instead of inviting a dangerous stranger to solve them. He had lost his old well, yet gained the wisdom to choose help carefully.