The Tortoises and the Frogs (Aesop)

A group of tortoises stood ‘round,
Upon a little earthy mound.

And did observe the meadow there,
As frogs were playing without care.

They nimbly jumped and frolicked free,
And raced from bush to rock to tree.

The tortoises then shared dismay
That they were not well built to play.

But then they did observe a duck,
A frog from off the meadow pluck.

More birds and fishes they did see
Eat many frogs quite easily.

Then started feeling very well,
Protected by their solid shell.

One shared aloud that “even though
We’re heavy and we move quite slow,

I’d rather live while crawling by,
Than quickly run and sooner die.”

---
True joy is found when we embrace
Our role in life, and find our place.