Narrated by Facundo Esquivel of Jaen, Nueva Ecija. This is a Tagalog story.
 
Once there lived a tyrannical king. One of his laws prohibited the people from talking loudly. Even when this law had been put in force, he still was not satisfied: so he ordered the law to be enforced among the animals.
 
One of his officers once heard a frog croak. The officer caught the frog and carried it before the king. The king began the trial by saying, “Don’t you know that there is a law prohibiting men and animals from making a noise?”
 
“Yes, your Majesty,” said the frog, “but I could not help [389]laughing to see the snail carrying his house with him wherever he goes.”
 
The king was satisfied with the frog’s answer, so he dismissed him and called the snail. “Why do you always carry your house with you?” asked the king.
 
“Because,” said the snail, “I am always afraid the firefly is going to burn it.” The king next ordered the fi............