The Sun wanted to wed. The Frogs complained to Jupiter about how that might further dry up their living area.
Watch the actions of your enemy.
Townsend version
Once upon a time, when the Sun announced his intention to take a wife, the Frogs lifted up their voices in clamor to the sky. Jupiter, disturbed by the noise of their croaking, inquired the cause of their complaint. One of them said, “The Sun, now while he is single, parches up the marsh, and compels us to die miserably in our arid homes. What will be our future condition if he should beget other suns?’
Babrius Translation (The Marriage of The Sun)
The Sun’s espousals were at summer’s prime,
Hence all the beasts enjoy’d a jovial time.
The frogs too led the dance in marsh and mere,
Till a toad check’d them, saying, “Nought is here
“To call for joy, but rather grief and moan,
“For if he dries each spring, while yet alone,
“How by this union are we not undone,
“If like himself he should beget a son ?”
Many o’er trifles needlessly exult,
From which too often sorrow will result.
[Note: Illustration produced by AI from this simplified AI version of the Babrius translation.]
On a blazing summer day, the Sun announced a grand wedding. Every creature celebrated, birds sang, beasts pranced, and frogs leapt joyfully in the marsh. From a moss-covered stone, an old toad croaked a warning: “Why cheer so loudly? One Sun already drinks our ponds dry. If he fathers another, what water will be left for us?” The frogs stopped dancing, realizing that delight today can bring trouble tomorrow.
Moral
Celebrate wisely: be sure today’s good news won’t become tomorrow’s sorrow.
Ranae et Sol
Ranae laetabantur cum nuntiatum esset Solem uxorem duxisse. Sed una, ceteris prudentior, “O vos stolidos,” inquit, “nonne meministis quantopere vos saepe unius Solis aestus excruciet? Quid igitur fiet, cum liberos etiam procreaverit?”
Perry #314