A Frog's Tale in Parliament | To be (dis)continued...

If you have not read this report, you can find the article in the Straits Times 4 Mar 2010, Home Section, Page B8.

And yes, that's a picture of a frog, because Minister Lim Swee Say told a frog story in Parliament.

Here's the excerpt:

The story goes that in a kingdom of frogs, the tallest tower in the world is built for an annual competition. And when the event is held, many aim to become the champion by making it to the top, but fail as they are discourage by the audience, who warn that the climb is too dangerous.

All except one frog who did reach the top. And when asked afterwards why he ignored the crowd, the frog said,"I'm deaf. I can't hear them."

With this tale, labour chief Lim Swee Say responded to opposition MP Low Thia Khiang (Hougang), who repeated his criticism of a day earlier that low-wage workers continue to languish, and that the labour movement ought to do better and work harder.

Mr Lim's point: Despite criticisms like those levelled by the Workers' Party chief, the labour movement continues to address problems faced by low-waged workers and to improve their situation.

"We never give up. We are like the little frog. We are deaf to all these criticisms," he said.
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Well... Perhaps we should finish the frog story:

After winning the competition, the little frog, happy but exhausted, decided to make his way home by taking the MRT which was across the road from the sports stadium where the competition was held. With the many flower garlands of congratulations and the champion medal around his neck, he began to hop towards the MRT station.

Suddenly, all the other frogs began to croak very loudly... As if the competition had taken place again... They were begging for the little frog to stop, like they did during the competition.

But this time, the crowd's croaking sounded different... The crowd was filled with PANIC, instead of pure cynicism. Some frogs lurched forward to try to stop the winning frog from crossing the road, but it was all too late.

In a quick, loud and violent bang and splat, the triumphant frog was now merely a gooey mess of road kill. Some tadpoles fainted after witnessing the gruesome incident.

"I was too faraway to stop him when I saw the huge SUV speeding towards him," lamented an onlooker, Mr Freddy Frog, to the local reporter.

"I croaked as loud as I could to warn him, but I realised that he was deaf and so could not hear our cries. It is very unfortunate. What a waste of talent."