Once, some diggers were digging precious stones from a mountain. While digging, they found a huge toad. A digger said, “This toad must be as old as the mountain itself.” Hearing this, the toad swelled with pride. The proud toad said, “I am very old. Is there anyone who can claim that he is older than I?” A fly heard this. He said, “Do not boast! So what if you are as old as the mountain? What good does that do to any one of us? Look at me. I have a short life but I will do everything I need to do in this short life. I will even have children before sunset. It is better to have a short and happy life than a long and wasted one! Your achievement is only to have lived in one place.” The toad felt very small after hearing this.
The Toad and the Fly
