ʿaashati aḍ-ḍafaadiʿu fii birkatin haadi’atin walaakinnahaa qaalat nuriidu malikanThe frogs lived in a quiet pond, but they said, "We want a king!"
saqaṭat fii al-birkati qiṭʿatu khashabin kabiiratunA big piece of wood fell into the pond.
khaafati aḍ-ḍafaadiʿu thumma aʿtaadat ʿalayhaaThe frogs were afraid, and then they got used to it.
qaalat haadhaa malikun ḍaʿiifun laa yataḥarraku nuriidu malikan qawiyyanThey said, "This is a weak king who does not move; we want a strong king!"
jaa’a laqlaqun ṭawiilu al-minqaari waqaala anaa malikukumu al-jadiiduA long-beaked stork came and said, "I am your new king."
bada’a al-laqlaqu ya’kulu aḍ-ḍafaadiʿa waaḥidatan baʿda ukhraaThe stork began to eat the frogs one after another.
nadimati aḍ-ḍafaadiʿu ʿalaa ṭalabihaaThe frogs regretted what they had asked for.
irḍa biḥaalika qabla an ya’tiyaka al-aswa’uBe content with your situation before something worse comes.