ENG
In pools they dwell, forms unrefined,
Ugly and odd, voices entwined.
Bellies swell with a raucous tune,
In death, they burst-an angry boom.
Two frog guais practiced in the marshes. The smaller frog was often bullied, yet the bigger one always stood up for him, and soon they forged a strong friendship. One day, amid a contest held by Baw-Li-Guhh-Lang to appoint a sergeant among all the frogs, turmoil stirred and rippled through the ranks. Finally, the choice was narrowed down to the two, the brawny big frog and the quick-witted small frog. Though the other frogs were discontented, they dared not voice their dissent.
The two then were assigned to guard the dwelling of Baw-Li-Guhh-Lang. On their duty, a valuable amber glass was found broken. Unable to identify the culprit, all the frogs began clamoring for punishment against the two instead. The big frog attempted to reason with them but got antagonized by their words and soon escalated the argument into a brawl. The frogs interpreted this as his reaction out of embarrassment, hence evidence of his guilt. The small frog, meanwhile, remained silent beside them. Seeing this, the big frog chided him for not speaking up in his defense and even began to suspect his smaller companion.
Hesitated for a while, the small frog then admitted to breaking the glass. However, the other frogs dismissed his confession, arguing that one of them had committed premeditated vandalization while the other had neglected his duty, and both deserved punishment by death. The small frog grew anxious and could not help but engage in the argument. As their voice grew louder and louder, their bellies inflated larger and larger, until some of them finally burst, splattering blood and flesh all over the place, leaving none unsoiled.
These creatures are frog guais who live in pools and marshes. They are described as ugly and odd, with voices that blend together. A notable physical trait is that when they get angry their bellies swell with sound, and if they die their bellies burst in a violent, explosive way.
Two of these frog guais are the focus of the story. One is a bigger, stronger frog who defends a smaller frog that other frogs bully. Because of that protection they become close friends. A leader named Baw-Li-Guhh-Lang holds a contest to appoint a sergeant for all the frogs, and the competition is ultimately narrowed down to these two: the brawny big frog and the quick-witted small frog. Many other frogs dislike the outcome but do not openly complain.
After being chosen, the two are assigned to guard Baw-Li-Guhh-Lang’s dwelling. A valuable amber glass is later found broken. The other frogs cannot identify who did it, so they start demanding punishment and direct their anger at the two guards. The big frog tries to calm them and argue his case, but the crowd antagonizes him and the discussion turns into a brawl. The frogs interpret the big frog’s anger and fighting as embarrassment and therefore proof that he is guilty. The small frog stays silent beside them, and the big frog reproaches him for not defending him, even beginning to suspect his friend.
Under pressure, the small frog eventually admits he broke the glass. Instead of accepting the confession, the other frogs decide both must be punished: they say one frog committed deliberate vandalism and the other neglected his duty, so both deserve death. The small frog becomes anxious and joins the argument, trying to speak up — which only makes the situation louder and angrier.
As the argument escalates, the frogs’ anger makes their bellies inflate. The swelling continues until some of the frogs’ bellies burst, spraying blood and flesh. The violence is physical and messy, and the aftermath leaves everyone soiled. The story shows how accusations, mistrust, and mob mentality among these creatures can quickly turn into lethal chaos because of their dangerous physiological response to rage.