Christian Living

Boiled Frog Stew

by Mari Morris
08/29/26
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BOILED FROG STEW

Mari Morris

08/26/2026

Once upon a time there lived a very sad and crusty old man.  He lived in a beautiful tree-lined neighborhood, just bursting with life. Lots of children and young people lived there too.

Nearby there were several frog ponds where the children loved to play with the frogs. The ponds were full of cool, pure spring water.

Most of the young people did their best to engage the old man and to bring love, care and community to him. But their every possible attempt was only met with anger.

Each person that did try eventually gave up altogether.  And once word got around the neighborhood the man was left to his own devices. This suited him very well.

He lived in a house that was in the middle of all of the frog ponds where the children loved to play most. 

So, the children soon learned to take the long way around.  But it was easier said than done.  Because the only thing that the old man loved more than himself - was boiled frog stew. And he was always at the ponds trying to catch frogs.

When the young people went there to play, they were certain to encounter the angry old man. Which could be very risky.

The parents in the neighborhood had the utmost concern for the elderly gentleman.  But their primary concern had to be for all the children and their safety.   

As a result, the parents gave explicit instructions to stay as far as possible away from the man.

The children tried with all their heart to follow the rules they were given.  Because they were told if they didn't, they would not be permitted to visit the ponds again. 

The frogs loved the children as much as the children loved the frogs! But the frogs were every bit as wary of the man as the children and parents were.

It didn't help that the old man intentionally crept up behind the children, in an attempt to catch as many frogs as possible for his stew.

But the children were so happy and carefree.  They did not seem to know or understand, why the man was always trying to sneak up to them unannounced. And it scared them.

Back at his house the sour old man always had a pot on the stove ready for any frogs that he might catch unawares.

Despite all of his prowling around the children to increase his chances, the pot almost never had more than a frog or two in it.

The old man had learned to fill the pot with cool spring water from the ponds and use the lowest possible heat on the stove so the frogs would not immediately jump out. The stew was only at its best if the frogs were cooked live.

"Heh, heh heh!

Perhaps the children could become desensitized in exactly the same way!" he thought.

And so it was... 

As time passed, the children and frogs alike slowly became impervious to the danger they were in.  But why was the old man suddenly acting so different towards them?

Maybe he wasn't as mean as they thought?  Maybe he was even beginning to like them now?

As they became more comfortable, the children very gradually cast off all of the rules required to go to the ponds.

It wasn't long after, that the children started handing the frogs over to the old man, without a thought or a care.  The children had no idea that the frogs were in danger. Nor did they recognize the danger that they were in.

The old man had up to this point, been both unable and unwilling to find any kind of joy in his life. Except that is, for himself and the stew.

But suddenly he had more frogs than ever for his stew. And it was effortless. He realized that these tactics were giving him full control over the thing that he desired most. 

Perhaps he had been too hasty in rejecting the kindness they offered.

The parents began to see and hear about the sudden change from their children. Soon - they too, became more and more relaxed over time. 

Then, the whole neighborhood was buzzing about what a difference the children had finally made in the old man's heart!

Yet not even one person amongst them knew about the frogs. And they did not sense danger of any kind.

The only thing they noticed was a very sudden and dramatic decline, of the frog population in every single pond at once!

The more the town re-stocked the ponds, the more alarming the decline became. They conducted tests on both the frogs and the pond water, but nothing tested differently.

This was done because the town was concerned about possible illness or disease transmittal to the children playing there. And the tests could also explain the sudden disappearance of the frogs as well.

And while the test results provided immense relief to all, the baffling mystery deepened!

Things had gotten so bad that there were almost no frogs left no matter how many they continued to re-stock.

The children still played there. But most of the joy had gone out of it.  The old man was still there to catch frogs. But he began to spend more and more time at home.

(Greedily cooking more boiled frog stew than it was even possible for anyone to eat.)

The skinny old man was suddenly gaining more and more weight.  At first people were overjoyed for what seemed to be his returning health.

But since the frog population continued to decline, there began to be less and less reason for him to show up at the ponds.

Finally, he stopped showing up altogether.  And some of the townspeople went to go check on him.  When they got to his house, they were relieved to find him in good health. 

They found him there cooking stew. (But they had no idea what was in the pot.)

He knew about the town's concern regarding the disappearing frogs.  So, he decided to pull a prank on his visitors!

Normally he would never share his stew. But for his prank he made an exception.

He told the visitors that he appreciated their concern so much that he would like to offer them some of his stew.  

But as he did so, he was thinking to himself... "Heh, heh Joke's on you -Here's your missing frogs...!" 

The sense of control the prank gave him made him ecstatic!

The visitors absolutely raved about the stew! And they all agreed enthusiastically, "This is the best stew that has ever been made!

We should have a town picnic!  Then everyone will be able to try this Amazing stew! And they have been worried about you.  They will be so relieved to see that you are in good health."

With that the plans were made. The date was set.  The town none the wiser.

The old man already had so much stew cooked, that there would not be much more cooking left to do.

And he absolutely could not wait to prank the entire town, (as he had done to the visitors)!  He wondered how much control he could possibly gain now!  He was giddy at the very thought!

"These Simpletons wouldn't even recognize the nose on their own face, even if I pointed it out to them!"  He started laughing maniacally at his own joke!

On the day of the picnic, the old man could barely contain himself. But he knew that he must, or the prank wouldn't work. And since his intent was to fully deceive, it required playing his part to perfection.

This he did!

The townspeople were very happy to see him in good health. Though his extensive weight gain gave concern to some.

As he was about to serve the stew to one and all, he stood in front of them and proclaimed:  

"It's a great pity that the frogs can't be here!

But I am absolutely sure that they are here - in spirit! And if I am right, (as I Know that I am), the frogs - are actually the most honored guests of all!" 

His touching speech moved the entire town beyond words.

And with that, the stew was served.

The townspeople absolutely marveled at the stew. During the entire picnic, they raved over it.  When people asked for the recipe, the old man simply responded that he had vowed never to share the recipe with anyone.

After the picnic, the town spoke of nothing else!  

They were still very concerned about the frogs though. And they continued to restock the ponds.  They also vowed to re-double their efforts. They did this by adding as many frogs as possible. In order for the frogs to naturally restore their own population. 

The old man took full advantage of this and began to sell his stew.  The town could not have been happier to see the old man thrive in his new business. And they did everything that they could to support his new venture. 

As time passed, the old man had the entire town convinced that they could not live without his stew.

And the frogs continued to disappear. Then the old man chimed in with a thought.  He said:  "Perhaps the frogs are eating each other! It seems to be the only plausible explanation." 

The subject of the frogs was still upsetting for some. By now most of the townspeople had dealt with the situation for so long, that their grave concern had begun waning for some time. 

"After all" he said, "If nature is eating nature that's not unheard of...

And as we all know, people eating nature isn't exactly unheard of either..."

Most people immediately accepted his thought as entirely reasonable. And their lack of concern became markedly accelerated, once they had an explanation that fit.

As his business thrived the town became more and more dependent on the old man and his stew. 

To celebrate his success the old man decided to invite all the townspeople to another picnic. This one would be on him, with absolute pleasure!

When the day for the new picnic arrived, the town was abuzz.  Every last person turned out, for the stew that they knew would be on the menu!

And in view of his recent business success, the flyer for the picnic said that he would be revealing the recipe for his stew!

After the stew was served and all the people were eating and enjoying it, the old man stood up again.

And he began a speech:

"Dear Neighbors, and now my loyal Companions and Friends,

I know that you are all aware of my previous struggles fitting in here. How the townsfolk tried to receive me at first.  And I did not respond in as kindly a way, as I should.

I must say that I was much averse to the light and love that had shone through you!

And I was actually quite unable to respond in any other way than I did  at the time. From that time on, everyone was afraid of me. And they took the long way around out of caution and fear.  

During this time, it was actually your children, that showed me a better way! Which I then followed.

Their hearts were so pure and accepting. And then the parents saw - and began to follow - their very innocent example.

It was through your very kind (though extremely gradual) acceptance of me, that I started to recognize my own strength and power.

And then to start my business.

Your cooperation has been integral in my success.  In fact, I could have never have been successful without your help!

And did I ever say thank you, for your extraordinary attention to my venture, which allowed for its success? If I did not, I have seen that you are far too generous a people not to forgive me!"

Something strange was happening - ever so slowly - from the very moment the old man stood up to speak...

It was so slow in fact, that no one even seemed to be noticing.  The actual countenance and appearance of the man was changing,  And none could even tell. 

As they listened to the old man's constant platitudes of their finest attributes, they were each and everyone, completely mesmerized!

"And you, one and all, began to value and honor my opinion. Not only that, but to hold it in the highest possible esteem! 

It was then that I knew - that I must hold this picnic in your honor. But mostly, in honor of my own success amongst you... in which you all share."

The old man's visage was still very slightly changing, but continued unnoticed. It was almost as if he was de-crusting as he spoke.

"My friends, if you had not tried the stew first, you would have never even known that such delicacies could even exist.  You have grown to love the stew, every bit as much as I.

And you can no longer live without it. Now that I have found your utmost acceptance and trust, I can finally reveal my recipe.

I want you all to know, that I have always shared your love and enjoyment of the frogs... but in a different way.

And now, I bring you the answer to their disappearance, as well.

The name of my recipe is called 'Boiled Frog Stew'!"

With that, the devil combusted, in a gigantic red plume of smoke and fire!

After the story ended, the Pastor told the congregation:

"We could actually end the sermon there. 

And you would surely understand today's lesson. But I would like to leave you with some reminders from Scripture:

Proverbs 1:10  If sinners entice you to do what they are doing, don't follow them. Don't walk alongside them on their path.

1. Watch the company that you keep. They are the "Boiled Frogs" in the stew.

Proverbs 29:5  Those who flatter their neighbors are setting a net for their feet.

Jude 1:16  They follow evil desires. They boast and flatter themselves. And, they flatter others - in order to gain advantage.

2. They will try to spice up the stew with shallow flattery to make the stew delectable, and hard to resist.

Ezekiel 24:10  Pile up the wood and kindle the fire. Boil the meat well, mixing in the spices.

3. They will try to "slow boil" you in cool spring water, so that you will never even notice the temperature has been rising!

Genesis 25:29  And remember: Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of cooked stew.

2 Kings 4:40 When the stew was served the men exclaimed: "There is death in the pot!"

 "Deceivers are always revealing themselves among us. Because it's impossible for them to do otherwise. How many warning signs did you miss during the story?"

Now, if you will please turn to Number 425 in your hymnals, we will sing:

Psalm 1 - The Way and End of the Righteous and the Wicked.

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