Chapter XXVIII: The Singing Frogs

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.