The Singing Frogs by Pu Songling
Wang Tzŭ-sun tells the narrator of a street performer he saw at the capital who kept twelve frogs in separate compartments of a wooden box. Each frog sang when tapped with a tiny wand; after someone gave the performer silver, he tapped them all, and they sang together in time and harmony.
By Pu Songling · Genre: Short Story, Weird Fiction · 122 words
First lines
Wang Tzŭ-sun told me that when he was at the capital he saw a man in the street who gave the following performance: -- He had a wooden box, divided by partitions into twelve holes, in each of which was a frog; and whenever he tapped any one of these frogs on the head with a tiny wand, the frog so touched would immediately begin to sing. Some one gave him a piece of silver, and then he tapped the frogs all round, just as if he was striking a gong; whereupon they all sang together, with their _Do_, _Ré_, _Mi_, _Fa_, in perfect time and harmony.
Genres
- Short Story — A brief narrated anecdote recounts a single street performance, culminating in twelve frogs singing together.
- Weird Fiction — Frogs produce musical notes on command and sing in perfect harmony when tapped with a wand.
Tags
frogs · street performance · music · singing
What this Textopian page supports
The Singing Frogs is listed on Textopian as a short story by Pu Songling, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Pu Songling
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Weird Fiction
- Length: 122 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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