Panchatantra Frogs Ride Snake

tale:panchatantra_frogs_ride_snake

An aging frog-king, too feeble to hunt, tells a snake that he will provide it frogs to ride upon and eat, in exchange for carrying him in state — meaning to be rid of rival frogs. The snake obliges, devouring frog after frog, until none are left but the king himself, whom it eats last. Moral: he who hires his own destroyer to settle scores is eaten in the end. — Panchatantra (attrib. Vishnu Sharma)