Once upon a time in the country of Japan there lived two frogs, one of whom made his home in a ditch near the town of Osaka, while the other dwelt in a clear little stream of Kyoto. Funny enough, the frog who lived at Kyoto wanted to visit Osaka, and the frog who lived at Osaka wished to go to Kyoto.
So one fine morning, they both set out along the road. The journey was more tiring for they did not know much about traveling, and halfway between the two towns there arose a mountain which had to be climbed. It took them a long time and a great many hops to reach the top, but there they were at last, and both frogs met each other! It was delightful to find that they both felt the same wish - to learn a little more of their native country.
"What a surprise!" said the Osaka frog; "for we can see both towns from here, and even tell if it is worth our while going on."
"Oh, that is easily managed," returned the Kyoto frog. "We have only got to stand up on our hind legs, and hold onto each other, and then we can each look at the town he is traveling to."
There they both stood, stretching themselves as high as they could, and holding each other tightly, so that they might not fall down. The Kyoto frog turned his nose towards Osaka, and the Osaka frog turned his nose towards Kyoto; but the foolish things forgot that when they stood up, their great eyes lay in the backs of their heads, and that though their noses might point to the places to which they wanted to go, their eyes beheld the places from which they had come.
"Dear me!" cried the Osaka frog, "Kyoto is exactly like Osaka. It is certainly not worth such a long journey. I shall go home!" The Kyota frog also agreed to his friend and they decided to return.
