Today’s Word of the Day Challenge is GLOOMY.
I wasn’t going to post anything for this but a few minutes ago I happened upon this old poem, so I’ll post it as a response and encouragement to all.
THE OPTIMISTIC FROG
Two frogs fell into a deep cream bowl,
One was an optimistic soul;
But the other took the gloomy view,
“We shall drown,” he cried, without more ado.
So with a last despairing cry,
He flung up his legs and said, “Good-bye.”
Quoth the other frog with a merry grim,
“I can’t get out, but I won’t give in.
I’ll just swim round till my strength is spent,
Then will I die the more content.”
Bravely he swam till it would seem
His struggles began to churn the cream.
On the top of the butter at last he stopped,
And out of the bowl he gaily hopped.
What of the moral? ‘Tis easily found:
If you can’t hop out, keep swimming around.
🙂
This poem has been posted often through the years. some bloggers have given it a title — I will do so, too, but don’t quote me. 🙂 I’ve seen it listed as “Author Unknown” but two posts ascribe it to Walter Knight, from Knight’s Master Book of New Illustrations, which was published by Eerdmans in 1956
Not sure if he wrote the poem or simply compiled the book, as I’ve seen this verse ascribed to T.C. Hamlet as well. In any case, it’s still possible to get copies of Knight’s original book, and reprints have been done through the years.
Frog image by Josch13 at Pixabay
Christine's Collection 
Ha.. Good attitude again wins the day…
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Agreed. There are some frogs who give up, some who paddle through life frantically, terrified that they’ll lose, suffer and die. But this one has accepted the situation and still gives it his all. Double Bravo! 🙂
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Love the positive attitude in this!
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Yes, I do, too. Heard this thirty years ago and then just came upon it in an old booklet this morning. Great timing. Thanks for commenting.
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Love the poem – great advice too!
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Thanks for reading. Yes, it’s better to go down fighting than just sink without a ripple. 🙂
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I love this. I love frogs!
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Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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I feel like there is a similar poem out there quoted in the movie, Catch Me If You Can with Leonardo Dicaprio.
Great message!
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Well, this poem has been around a good while, so lots of opportunity to use and/or tweak.
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