Futwick, here's one for you c. 1517:

Brother Benno was walking along, chanting his prayers. He came to a marsh where the frogs were chanting too. Their sound was so great that Brother Benno could not hear himself. So he said in a loud voice, "Be still!" And they were.

In the stillness, Brother Benno began to feel very small. He thought, God might enjoy the chanting of these frogs more than my prayers. So he said to the frogs, "I am sorry for being so rude. Please go on singing as you wish."

One by one the frogs began to croak. Soon they were a choir of sound again. And brother Benno listened...