The Aphorism
Toad Tries to Sum It Up In One Easy Lesson
Toad fell asleep at his desk, and had a dream.
He was on stage, and he was wearing a suit. Toad looked out into the dark. Frog was sitting in the audience.
A strange voice from far away said, “PRESENTING TOAD, THE GREATEST ENTREPRENEUR IN ALL THE WORLD!”
Toad sat down in a comfy chair on the stage. Frog looked smaller as he shouted, “Hooray for Toad!”
“TOAD WILL NOW TELL US HOW HE BOOTSTRAPPED HIS FIRST UNICORN,” said the strange voice. Toad told the story, and he didn’t miss an anecdote.
“Frog,” cried Toad, “do you remember how fun it was to start our first company?”
“No,” said Frog. It seemed to Toad that Frog looked even smaller.
“TOAD WILL NOW TELL US HOW HE ALWAYS ASKED FOR FORGIVENESS INSTEAD OF PERMISSION,” said the voice.
Toad described the high-wire act of growth-hacking his way to success.
“Frog,” cried Toad, “do you remember coming up with tricks like that?”
“No,” peeped Frog, who looked very, very small.
“TOAD WILL NOW TALK ABOUT MOVING FAST AND BREAKING THINGS,” said the voice.
“Frog, do you want to come up and be interviewed too?” asked Toad, as he spun business stories for the audience.
There was no answer. Toad looked out into the audience. Frog was nowhere to be seen or heard.
“Frog,” said Toad, “where are you?” There was still no answer.
“Frog, what have I done?” cried Toad.
Then the voice said, “TOAD, THE GREATEST ENTREPRENEUR IN ALL THE WORLD, WILL NOW…”
“Shut up!” screamed Toad. “Frog, Frog, where have you gone?”
Toad was spinning in the dark. “Come back Frog,” he shouted, “it’s lonely at the top!”
“I am right here,” said Frog. Frog was standing next to Toad’s desk. “Wake up, Toad,” he said.
“Frog, is that really you?” asked Toad.
“Of course it is me,” said Frog.
“And are you your own right size?” asked Toad.
“Yes, I think so,” laughed Frog.
Toad looked at the clock on his desktop. It was past midnight.
“Frog,” he said, “I am so glad that I don’t have to build this company alone.”
“I am too,” said Frog.
