"Sei Kein Frosch"

As we walked around the quaint town of Büdingen, Germany, it was quite clear the residents have a love of frogs. "Don't be a frog!" is a saying that goes back to the year 1522, the year Count Anton married Elisabeth of Wied. The legend goes that when the Count brought his bride back to Büdingen, she was delighted with the town and the residents and the feeling was returned. The couple were welcomed with banners, music and a festive banquet. As the evening progressed, the Count fell asleep and eventually so did Elisabeth. A little while later, the bride woke up to a chorus of croaking frogs. She immediately woke the Count and told him that either the frogs had to go or she would. The Count woke his Council and asked the people of Büdingen to remove all the frogs in town. By afternoon the next day, all the frogs had been captured and were in bundles in the market square. However, they were distraught at being captured and were much louder than ever. The people of Büdingen then decided to dump the frogs in the river, believing they would drown. This was the perfect solution. The Count and Elisabeth were invited to view the drowning of the frogs. The frogs were released into the river and were not seen again. Büdingen still boasts of being the most 'frog-free' town in Germany. The saying "Don't be a frog" refers to the frogs themselves because they had spoiled the coming of Elisabeth to their town. The residents of Büdingen are also referred to as "Fräääsch"... the frogs.