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The Frogman felt he had been insulted； so he gave a
loud croak of indignation and turned away。 After going
a short distance he came upon a faint path which led
across a meadow in the direction of a grove of pretty
trees； and thinking this circle of evergreens must
surround a house where perhaps he would be kindly
received he decided to follow the path。 And by and
by he came to the trees； which were set close together；
and pushing aside some branches he found no house
inside the circle； but instead a very beautiful pond of
clear water。
Now the Frogman； although he was so big and so well
educated and now aped the ways and customs of human
beings； was still a frog。 As he gazed at this solitary；
deserted pond； his love for water returned to him with
irresistible force。
〃If I cannot get a breakfast I may at least have a
fine swim；〃 said he； and pushing his way between the
trees he reached the bank。 There he took off his fine
clothing； laying his shiny purple hat and his gold…
headed cane beside it。 A moment later he sprang with
one leap into the water and dived to the very bottom of
the pond。 The water was deliciously cool and grateful
to his thick； rough skin； and the Frogman swam around
the pond several times before he stopped to rest。 Then
he floated upon the surface and examined the pond with
some curiosity。 The bottom and sides were all lined
with glossy tiles of a light pink color； just one place
in the bottom； where the water bubbled up from a hidden
spring； had been left free。 On the banks the green
grass grew to the edge of the pink tiling。
And now； as the Frogman examined the place； he found
that on one side the pool； just above the water line；
had been set a golden plate on which some words were
deeply engraved。 He swam toward this plate and on
reaching it read the following inscription：
This is
THE TRUTH POND
Whoever bathes in this
water must always
afterward tell
THE TRUTH
This statement startled the Frogman。 It even worried
him； so that he leaped upon the bank and hurriedly
began to dress himself。
〃A great misfortune has befallen me；〃 he told
himself； 〃for hereafter I cannot tell people I am wise；
since it is not the truth。 The truth is that my boasted
wisdom is all a sham； assumed by me to deceive people
and make them defer to me。 In truth； no living creature
can know much more than his fellows； for one may know
one thing； and another know another thing； so that
wisdom is evenly scattered throughout the world。 But
ah； me！ what a terrible fate will now be mine。 Even
Cayke the Cookie Cook will soon discover that my
knowledge is no greater than her own； for having bathed
in the enchanted water of the Truth Pond； I can no
longer deceive her or tell a lie。〃
More humbled than he had been for many years； the
Frogman went back to the grove where he had left Cayke
and found the woman now awake and washing her face in a
tiny brook。
〃Where has Your Honor been？〃 she asked。
〃To a farmhouse to ask for something to eat；〃 said
he； 〃but the woman refused me。〃
〃How dreadful！〃 she exclaimed。 〃But never mind； there
are other houses； where the people will be glad to feed
the Wisest Creature in all the World。〃
〃Do you mean yourself？〃 he asked。
〃No； I mean you。〃
The Frogman felt strongly impelled to tell the truth；
but struggled hard against it。 His reason told him
there was no use in letting Cayke know he was not wise；
for then she would lose much respect for him； but each
time he opened his mouth to speak he realized he was
about to tell the truth and shut it again as quickly as
possible。 He tried to talk about something else； but
the words necessary to undeceive the woman would force
themselves to his lips in spite of all his struggles。
Finally； knowing that he must either remain dumb or let
the truth prevail； he gave a low groan of despair and
said：
〃Cayke； I am not the Wisest Creature in all the
World； I am not wise at all。〃
〃Oh； you must be！〃 she protested。 〃You told me so
yourself； only last evening。〃
〃Then last evening I failed to tell you the truth；〃
he admitted； looking very shamefaced； for a frog。 〃I am
sorry I told you that lie； my good Cayke； but； if you
must know the truth； the whole truth and nothing but
the truth； I am not really as wise as you are。〃
The Cookie Cook was greatly shocked to hear this； for
it shattered one of her most pleasing illusions。 She
looked at the gorgeously dressed Frogman in amazement。
〃What has caused you to change your mind so
suddenly？〃 she inquired。
〃I have bathed in the Truth Pond；〃 he said； 〃and
whoever bathes in that water is ever afterward obliged
to tell the truth。〃
〃You were foolish to do that；〃 declared the woman。
〃It is often very embarrassing to tell the truth。 I'm
glad I didn't bathe in that dreadful water！〃
The Frogman looked at his companion thoughtfully。
〃Cayke；〃 said he； 〃I want you to go to the Truth Pond
and take a bath in its water。 For； if we are to travel
together and encounter unknown adventures； it would not
be fair that I alone must always tell you the truth；
while you could tell me whatever you pleased。 If we
both dip in the enchanted water there will be no chance
in the future of our deceiving one another。〃
〃No；〃 she asserted； shaking her head positively； 〃I
won't do it； Your Honor。 For； if I told you the truth；
I'm sure you wouldn't like me。 No Truth Pond for me。
I'll be just as I am； an honest woman who can say what
she wants to without hurting anyone's feelings。〃
With this decision the Frogman was forced to
be content； although he was sorry the Cookie
Cook would not listen to his advice。
Chapter Fourteen
The Unhappy Ferryman
Leaving the grove where they had slept； the Frogman and
the Cookie Cook turned to the east to seek another
house and after a short walk came to one where the
people received them very politely。 The children stared
rather hard at the big； pompous Frogman； but the woman
of the house； when Cayke asked for something to eat； at
once brought them food and said they were welcome to
it。
〃Few people in need of help pass this way；〃 she
remarked； 〃for the Winkies are all prosperous an