Long, long ago, in the country of Japan, there were two frogs.

One of the frogs lived in a pond near Tokio, and the other lived in a
little stream near Kioto.

One fine morning in early spring, these two frogs decided that they
would travel forth to see the world.

Strangely enough, though they had never heard of each other, the same
thought came to each frog at the same time.

The first frog started along the road which led from Tokio to Kioto.

He found the journey difficult and the road hard to travel. So, when he
had hopped to the top of a high hill halfway, he decided to stop a while
and rest.

The other frog started out on the same road, but from Kioto.

It took him a long time to reach the hill where the first frog was
resting.

The two frogs met at the top of the hill. They were delighted to make
each other's acquaintance.

"Greetings, friend!" said the first of the two frogs. "Where are you
going?"

"I have a great desire to see the world, and especially to visit Tokio.
I am on my way for a visit to Tokio now," replied the second frog.