Page 11 - Fables volume 1

How the Frog Orchestra Lost its Third Alto

“Long ago, the humans heard us and were struck by our talent. We
knew they were hanging around trying to imitate our sound, but we
didn’t care. Why? Because they couldn‘t duplicate the millions of years
of rehearsals we’d had. After many failures, they decided to develop
fixed compositions based on our random performances, picking out
simple riffs and harmonies. Of course, their versions are merely stiff,
lifeless representations of frog music, but it’s the best they can do.”
He paused, rolling his eyes reflectively.
“I have, on occasion, wondered about these humans. It’s impossible
not to be aware of them, they play so loudly. It seems to me that
sooner or later they will tire of their boring compositions and try to
improvise the way we do. But when that day comes, they will sound a
thousand times worse than they do now. Why? Because they still
won’t have any natural feeling in their music. You just can’t shortcut
eons of experience…”
Kodok Besar’s rumbling bass drifted off as he spied a bulging
mosquito zigzagging erratically down from the village toward the padi.
Eatabugus gathered up his courage and croaked for attention.
“O Inflated One, does that mean you won’t give my compositions
an audition?”
“That’s right, Sonny. And neither will any other self-respecting
conductor.”
“Then that does it! This island is too small for me and my ideas!
There’s a broken old xylophone down by the river. I’m going to use it
as a raft and sail across the ocean to Africa. Maybe I can enjoy some
artistic freedom over there. I quit! Goodbye forever!”
With that, the young frog hopped off into the night. Kodok Besar
grinned sourly. Africa! That kid has no concept of distance, he said to
himself. He’ll never make it. But maybe his raft will…

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