Frogfucius

"Yes, 'Old Wise People' can often give good advice..."

- Frogfucius

Frogfucius is sagacious frog who lives at Tadpole Pond. He is also Mallow's adoptive grandfather. During a rain storm, while Frogfucius was enjoying a snack of crickets, a small basket floated into Tadpole Pond. In the basket, Frogfucius found Mallow as a baby (when he was just a little ball of fluff). Taking him in, Frogfucius raised Mallow as a tadpole, and as his grandson.

Frogfucius is extremely wise and people travel from all over the world to Tadpole Pond just to ask for the sage's advice. Since the waterways of the world bring news to the pond, Frogfucius is able to keep up with current events. He studies philosophy and likes to impart his wisdom onto his tadpoles. In fact, Frogfucius has a student who matures from a tadpole to a frog during the course of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Frogfucius also appears to have the power to levitate; however, in reality, a Lakitu with a fishing pole merely carries the wise amphibian through the air. Sometimes, this Lakitu accidentally drops Frogfucius, ruining the levitation effect. The fact that he wishes to deceive others into believing that he can levitate is just one the many indications that, despite his great wisdom, Frogfucius is truly vain and prideful.

After Mario and Mallow arrive in Tadpole Pond following their journeys in the Mushroom Kingdom, Frogfucius reveals some stunning truths to the two adventurers. First, the sagacious frog states that Princess Peach is no longer at Bowser's Keep and warns Mario about the threat of Smithy and his minions. Frogfucius also hypothesizes that the Star Pieces are somehow connected to shooting stars and the power of wishes (a theory that Geno later confirms to be true). Finally, Frogfucius tells Mallow the truth of his origin. The sage bluntly tells Mallow that he is not a tadpole, much to Mallow's surprise. The sage tells Mallow he should accompany Mario to find his real parents, who turn out to be King and Queen Nimbus. Additionally, Frogfucius explains that Mallow will not be a burden on the heroic Mario, as the ball of fluff's control of the weather will surely be useful. With the truth revealed, Frogfucius directs Mario and Mallow to Rose Town, the site of the latest attack by the Smithy Gang.

Frogfucius also has a sweet tooth for Cricket Pie and Cricket Jam. As a reward for some Cricket Pie, Frogfucius will give Mallow the Froggie Stick, the staff Frogfucius used as a young frog. For delicious Cricket Jam, Frogfucius will give Mario a whopping fifteen Frog Coins. If Mario and partners are to return to Frogfucius any time throughout their adventure, he will direct them to the next location they are told to or give them advice.

Trivia

 * Frogfucius's name is a portmanteau of "frog" and "Confucius", the latter of which was a famous philosopher.