Theme: Free will, family bonds, assistance

Ploc's choice

The frog Ploc lived in a beautiful lake with clean water and plenty of vegetation around it. For being a pleasant place, many frogs lived there. So, it was also a very busy place.

He wanted a little tranquility, so one day Ploc found another lake nearby, much smaller and with no one.

Ploc went into the lake and liked it. He thought this was his lucky day, as he had found a place just for him. But in reality, the water in that small lake was under the influence of an extinct volcano. So, from time to time, its water got very hot, but Ploc didn't know that.

When his family and friends found him, they explained that Ploc was at risk by living there and asked him to come home.

But Ploc saw no danger and did not listen to them, thinking: "When I feel that it’s not fine here anymore, I go out." Because of it, he fought with the other frogs and sent them away, saying that he knew how to take care of himself.

It turns out that the water was really heating up more and more. However, Ploc didn’t notice it, because the temperature increased very slowly.

The other frogs went to the small pond again and saw that the situation was not good. They tried again to convince Ploc, but he still didn't believe them.

Ploc's siblings, very concerned, didn't want anything bad to happen to him, so they decided to take him from there against his will. They jumped on him and dragged him out of the lake.

- What are you doing? Leave me alone! I want to stay here! Don't interfere in my life! - Shouted Ploc, nervous. For him, that place was still nice and quiet.

Ploc screamed and flounced so hard that the other frogs decided to release him. His older sibling realized that it was no good use force. This was not how they would be able to help their brother.

- All right, Ploc! Even if we don't agree, we will respect your decision. Stay there as long as you want - said the frog, cheerless.

And then, very sad, they left and Ploc jumped back into his lake.

Some time passed and everyone was still worried about Ploc, expecting for him to come home.

One day, the older sibling, who was missing him, called the other frogs to visit Ploc.

When they arrived at the lake, they were terrified. Ploc was all red and almost passed out. The water was already very hot and Ploc was very ill, with no strength to move.

When he heard his sibling's voice, Ploc, desperate, started begging almost without a voice:

- Help me! Please help me! Get me out of here!

The frogs immediately realized that it was time to help Ploc. Finally, he had recognized that the place was not good for him. Even though they felt the discomfort of the hot water, the frogs entered in the pond and dragged Ploc out. Then they carried him home.

When Ploc was put back in the old lake, he felt the delicious cool water cooling his body and relieving his discomfort. He realized how wrong he was and was very grateful to those who helped him.

Even though he made a bad choice, with the affection of his family and friends, Ploc, fortunately, managed to save himself and have a happy life.

Text inspired by the story O Sapo na Panela.

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com