A GROUP OF frogs were hopping through the woods when two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around to see how they could help. After seeing how deep the pit was, they agreed it was hopeless and told the two frogs to prepare for their death.
The two frogs were unwilling to accept this and began to jump with all their might. Some of the frogs shouted down that it was hopeless. Others shouted that they should save their energy as they were going to die anyway. Finally one of the frogs took heed to the calls of the other frogs and lay down and died. The other frog continued jumping even though utterly exhausted.
His companions yelled anew that he should resign himself to death. And then, wonder of wonders, he leapt so high that he sprang from the pit! Amazed, the other frogs asked him why he had continued when they’d said it was impossible. The astonished frog, who was deaf, read their lips and replied that, when he saw their gestures and shouting, he thought they were cheering him on. What he thought was encouragement made him try harder.
Words of encouragement can lift someone up
