The Three Frogs

Once upon a time there were three frogs. They were jumping around until all of a sudden all three fell into a well. The frogs jumped trying to get out but they couldn’t, the well was very deep. The frogs continued jumping and making noise. Two other frogs heard the noise and came to see what was going on. They leaned over the edge of the well and saw the three frogs inside jumping and trying to get out. It did not look good and the two frogs told the jumping frogs to give up, “The well is too deep. There is no use in trying. You’d better give up. Save your strength.”

“You are not going to succeed,” said the two frogs and went their way.

Two of the frogs that were in the well jumped a few more times, every time lower and lower. They felt very discouraged and saw that the two frogs that were telling them not to jump were right. There was no use in trying anymore.

The third frog continued jumping. It jumped and jumped. It felt very strong. It felt its legs pulsating with energy. It felt that every new jump was bringing it higher and higher. And all of a sudden it jumped so high that it reached above the well and landed on the ground. It made it!

Why did the third frog succeed while the other two did not? The third frog was deaf! When it saw the two frogs peeking over the edge of the well it thought that they were saying, “Jump, jump higher. You are going to make it!”

The third frog did not hear that there were limits to what it could do. The third frog wanted to succeed and it saw the reflection of success in everyone and everything around it.

We create our life with our beliefs, our thoughts and the ways we choose to perceive everything around us.

It all starts with our thoughts. Next, we project our expectations and our understanding of people, relationships, places and events on the outside world. We send our energy out into the world. Then, from all events unfolding around us we pick to bring into our consciousness those which feel comfortable, which fit into our scheme of how things are, which resonate with our own energy. And there we have it: a self-fulfilling prophecy! A vicious circle! The world is just like we expected it to be! The confirmation we find only serves to strengthen our convictions that we “have it right.” That is why the third frog found encouragement and support where everyone else found an insurmountable obstacle.

Today observe the way you think about yourself and about life. Are your thoughts nurturing and supportive or are they expressing lack, lack of love, understanding, abundance or kindness? Begin by noticing. This initial step of becoming aware will open up a whole new way of seeing and understanding your life.

The story of the three frogs was told to me by my mom, who heard it from a friend. To both ladies, thank you. I am grateful to have heard this wonderful story from you and be able to share this great lesson.

The moral of the three frogs story

The moral of the three frogs story is that the words we hear, and the words we repeat to ourselves, shape what we believe we can do. The two frogs who listened to “give up” stopped jumping. The deaf frog heard only encouragement and kept going until it made it out.

I come back to this story often, because I see it in so many lives. Someone once told us we were too much, too old, too late or not good enough, and we kept jumping a little lower every time. The beautiful news is that we can choose which voices we listen to, starting today.

Which frog are you listening to?

Take a few minutes with your journal and let these prompts show you where your thoughts are lifting you and where they are holding you in the well.

1. What did someone tell me I couldn’t do, and did I believe them?
2. Which thought about myself do I repeat most often, and does it help me jump higher?
3. If I were the deaf frog, what encouragement would I hear around me right now?

Frequently asked questions

What is the moral of the three frogs story?

The words we hear and repeat to ourselves shape what we believe we can do. The frog who heard only encouragement kept jumping and made it out of the well, while the frogs who listened to discouragement gave up.

Why did the deaf frog make it out of the well?

The deaf frog could not hear the other frogs telling it to give up. It thought they were cheering it on, so it kept jumping with all its strength until it reached the top.

Write a new story about what you deserve

My Worthy of Abundance journal helps you hear the voices that tell you to keep jumping. Through guided prompts you notice the beliefs that keep you in the well and open to more love, money and joy.

Not ready for a journal yet? Start with my free Trust Meditation.