Old Frog sat at the edge of the pond, her eyes scanning the waters where her little one often played. She felt a pang of worry as she noticed his absence among the playful splashes and croaks of her other children.
"Where is your little brother?" she asked the young frogs, her voice tinged with concern.
Young Frog, the eldest among the siblings, hopped forward. "A great big monster stepped on him, Mother," he explained, his voice trembling with the memory of the sight.
Old Frog frowned, a mix of disbelief and dread crossing her features. "A monster, you say? Was it as big as this?" she asked, puffing herself up in demonstration.
Young Frog shook his head vigorously. "Oh, much bigger!" he replied, the other siblings nodding in agreement.
Determined to match this supposed giant in size, Old Frog inhaled deeply, her body expanding with each breath. The young frogs watched, their expressions a mix of awe and apprehension.
"Surely, he cannot be bigger than this," she insisted, straining as she puffed herself larger.
Another Young Frog, concerned for his mother's safety, croaked a warning. "Mother, please, you're growing too large!" he urged, hopping nervously from one foot to another.
Old Frog, undeterred, continued her efforts, driven by the desire to outdo the creature that had taken her child.
With one final, immense puff, Old Frog reached her breaking point. The young frogs gasped collectively as, with a sudden pop, she burst, her pride and vanity dissipating into the night air.
Young Frog looked around at his siblings, his voice soft with understanding. "Let us remember Mother for her love and her folly," he said, and they all nodded, vowing never to let vanity consume them as it had their mother.
