Years ago Quote by Agatha Christie
““It reminds me of the story that my American godmother used to tell me years and years ago about two frogs who fell into a pail of milk. One said: ‘Ooh, I’m drowning, I’m drowning!’ The other frog said, ‘I‘m not going to drown.’ ‘How can you stop drowning?’ asked the other frog. ‘Why, I’m going to hustle around, and hustle around, and hustle around like mad,’ said the second frog. Next morning the first frog had given up and drowned, and the second frog, having hustled around all night, was sitting there in the pail, right on top of a pat of butter. Everyone,””
About This Quote
Source Short story: Unpublished anecdote, early 20th century
Persistence and creative problem‑solving can turn a dire situation into unexpected success.
In simple terms: Keep trying, even when it seems hopeless.
Key Takeaway
Never give up; adapt and keep moving.
Themes
perseverance
creativity
resilience
Mood
determined
hopeful
Type
anecdotal
motivational
When to use this quote
- business crises
- personal setbacks
- academic research
- artistic creation
Key Concepts
Problem solving
mindset
effort
Questions to Reflect On
- What small actions can you take now to change a tough situation?
- How does humor help you persist?
A Different Perspective
If effort is misdirected, it may waste time without progress.
![“[The Dalai Lama] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could, and still things get worse in Tibet." If you look at it from one point of view, as he himself says, his monastic position of forbearance and nonviolence hasn't reaped any…” quote by Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9fe/pico-iyer-1252_benefits_the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i_678.jpg)
