The words were hardly out of his mouth before the dragon had snatched up the sacks and piled them on his back . Then he and Stan set forth . The way , though really not far , was yet too long for Stan , but at length he heard his children 's voices , and stopped short . He did not wish the dragon to know where he lived , lest some day he should come to take back his treasure . Was there nothing he could say to get rid of the monster ? Suddenly an idea came into Stan 's head , and he turned round . ' 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 XXXXX their homes .
along as at before between from near though through while