The Frog and the Ox

Abstract

I first saw a wall-full of this series at Kyobo Book in Seoul in July, '04. I bought one copy, came home, and worked to order the full set of thirty booklets, workbooks, and audio cassettes from the publisher. Each set cost 9,800 Won. I have divided that cost among the book (6800 Won), booklet (1000 Won), and cassette (2000 Won). The colored booklet features twenty-eight thick, sturdy pages and excellent color reproduction. The art is cartoon-like, simple, and direct. This version features legware for frogs: shorts for Baby Frog and Big Brother Frog and a skirt for Mother Frog. They live in a little cabana with chairs and cups. Intrigued by the giant beast the farmer is leading, his ox, the frog children follow. Baby Frog does not see this animal turning around and is crushed dead under his hoof. Big Brother hops home to bring the bad news to Mother Frog. It is the latter's belly or throat -- not the whole body -- that becomes distended and finally explodes. The art is well done! As she lies dead on the last page, her stomach looks like a burst balloon. Don't try to do the impossible.