I hardly know what to do , ' said he . ' I have a hundred children , and I am afraid they may do you harm , as they are always ready for a fight . However , I will do my best to protect you . ' A hundred children ! That was indeed no joke ! The dragon let fall the sacks from terror , and then picked them up again . But the children , who had had nothing to eat since their father had left them , came rushing towards him , waving knives in their right hands and forks in their left , and crying , ` Give us dragon 's flesh ; we will have dragon 's flesh . ' At this dreadful sight the dragon waited no longer : he flung down his sacks where he stood and took flight as fast as he could , so terrified at the fate that awaited him that from that day he has never dared to show his face in the world again . -LRB- Adapted from Rumanische Marchen . -RRB- THE TWO FROGS Once upon a time in the country of Japan there lived two frogs , one of whom made his home in a ditch near the town of Osaka , on the sea coast , while the other dwelt in a clear little stream which ran through the city of Kioto . At such a great distance apart , they had never even heard of each other ; but , funnily enough , the idea came into both their heads at once that they should like to see a little of the world , and the frog who lived at Kioto wanted to visit Osaka , and the frog who lived at Osaka wished to go to Kioto , where the great Mikado had his palace . So one fine morning in the spring they both set out along the road that led from Kioto to Osaka , one from one end and the other from the other . The journey was more tiring than they expected , for they did not know much about travelling , and half way between the two towns there arose a mountain which had to be climbed . It took them a long time and a great many hops to reach the top , but there they were at last , and what was the surprise of each to see another frog before him ! They looked at each other for a moment without speaking , and then fell into conversation , explaining the cause of their meeting so far from their homes . It was delightful to find that they both felt the same wish -- to learn a little more of their native country -- and as there was no sort of hurry they stretched themselves out in a cool , damp place , and agreed that they would have a good rest before they parted to go their ways . ` What a pity we are not bigger , ' said the Osaka frog ; ` for then we could see both towns from here , and tell if it is worth our while going on . ' ` Oh , that is easily managed , ' returned the Kioto frog . ` We have only got to stand up on our hind legs , and hold on to each other , and then we can each look at the town he is travelling to . ' This idea pleased the Osaka frog so much that he at once jumped up and put his front paws on the shoulders of his friend , who had risen also .
There they both stood , stretching themselves XXXXX high as they could , and holding each other tightly , so that they might not fall down .
At along as for in into of on that through