Once, in an age when wishes still held power, there lived a King whose daughters were all beautiful, but none could compare to the youngest. Her beauty was so extraordinary that even the sun, who had witnessed countless wonders, marveled at her each time its rays illuminated her.
Close to the royal castle lay a vast, dark forest, and within it, under the canopy of an ancient linden tree, was a well. On sweltering days, the King’s youngest daughter would venture into the forest to sit beside the well’s cool waters. As time stretched on, she would take out a golden ball and toss it into the air, only to catch it again. This simple game became her most cherished amusement.
One fateful day, as she tossed her golden ball into the air, it plummeted to the ground near the well’s edge and rolled in. The princess’s eyes followed it as it disappeared into the depths, swallowed by the darkness. Grief overcame her, and she wept, her tears flowing like a river. Amidst her sorrow, she heard a voice: “What troubles you, King’s daughter? Your tears could soften the hardest heart.” Startled, she looked around, only to see a grotesque frog poking its head out of the water.
“Ah, it is you, old waddler,” she sighed. “I weep because my golden ball has been lost to the well.”
“Do not fret,” the frog replied. “I can retrieve it for you, but what will you give me in return?”
“Anything you desire, dear frog,” she promised. “My clothes, my jewels, even my golden crown.”
The frog shook its head. “Your clothes, your jewels, and your crown hold no value for me. If you would love me, make me your companion and playmate, allow me to sit beside you at the table, share your plate, drink from your cup, and sleep in your bed. If you agree to this, I will dive into the depths and return your golden ball.”
“Oh, yes!” she exclaimed, eager to reclaim her prized possession. “I promise to give you all you ask, just please return my ball.” Secretly, however, she thought the frog’s words were absurd, for how could it ever become her companion?
As soon as the frog heard her promise, it disappeared beneath the water’s surface, and soon emerged with the golden ball clasped in its mouth. It tossed the ball onto the grass, and the princess, overjoyed, picked it up and ran home, heedless of the frog’s pleas to wait.
The next day, as the princess sat with her father and the royal court, feasting from her golden plate, a soft pitter-patter echoed up the marble stairs, followed by a knock on the door and a voice: “Youngest King’s daughter, let me in!” Curiosity piqued, she opened the door, only to find the frog waiting. She slammed the door shut, her heart pounding.
Her father noticed her distress and asked, “What frightens you, my child? Is there a giant at the door?”
“No, Father,” she replied. “It is only a repulsive frog.”
“And what does it want?” the King inquired.
The princess recounted the events at the well, and how the frog had retrieved her golden ball in exchange for her promise to be its companion. She had never imagined it could follow her home. Just then, they heard the frog knocking again, and its voice rang through the hall:
“Youngest King’s daughter,
Open to me!
By the well water
What promised
you me?
Youngest King’s daughter
Now open to me!”
“What you have promised, you must fulfill,” the King declared. “Now, go and let the frog in.”
Reluctantly, she opened the door, and the frog hopped in, trailing her to her chair. It then demanded to be lifted up. Hesitating, she finally complied after her father’s stern command. Once on the chair, the frog leaped onto the table and said, “Now, slide your golden plate closer, so we may share our meal.”
The princess did as instructed, visibly displeased, while the frog feasted with gusto. The meal felt endless to the princess, each bite sticking in her throat. At last, the frog declared it was tired and requested she escort it to her bedroom and prepare her silken bed for them to share. The princess wept, dreading the thought of sharing her bed with the cold, slimy creature.
Her father, however, was resolute. “You must fulfill your promise, even in times of discomfort,” he said.
With no choice, the princess gently picked up the frog and carried it to her room, placing it in a corner. As she lay down, the frog crept closer, saying, “I am tired and wish to sleep beside you. Lift me into your bed, or I shall tell your father.”
Blinded by rage, the princess seized the frog and hurled it against the wall, shouting, “Will you finally leave me be, you horrid frog?”
To her astonishment, the moment the frog struck the wall, it transformed into a handsome prince with gentle, kind eyes. He explained that he had been cursed by a wicked witch and only the princess’s actions could break the spell. With her father’s blessing, they became betrothed.
Soon, a carriage arrived, drawn by eight magnificent white horses adorned with golden harnesses and plumes. Faithful Henry, the prince’s devoted servant, awaited them. Grief-stricken by his master’s curse, he had donned three iron bands around his heart to prevent it from breaking. As the carriage carried the couple to the prince’s kingdom, the bands around Henry’s heart snapped, one by one, for he was overjoyed by his master’s newfound happiness.
Each time a band broke, the prince mistook the sound for a cracking wheel, but Faithful Henry reassured him that it was merely the sound of his own heart, finally relieved and content.
What principles and lessons can be learned from the above stories?
1. Keep your promises: The princess made a promise to the frog, and despite her initial reluctance, her father reminded her that she must fulfill her promise. It is essential to be true to your word and honor commitments you make to others.
2. Don’t judge a book by its cover: The princess was initially repulsed by the frog’s appearance and did not believe he could be a valuable companion. However, the frog turned out to be a kind and helpful prince who had been cursed. This story teaches us not to judge others solely by their appearance, as there might be more to them than meets the eye.
3. Be grateful for help: The princess received help from the frog to retrieve her lost golden ball, and it’s essential to express gratitude for assistance, even if it comes from an unexpected source.
4. Acts of kindness can have unexpected rewards: The frog’s assistance to the princess ultimately led to the breaking of his curse and their eventual marriage. By being kind and helpful, one might receive unexpected blessings in return.
5. Don’t underestimate others: The princess didn’t believe that the frog could be of any help or value, but he turned out to be a powerful ally. We should never underestimate the potential or capabilities of others based on our preconceived notions.
6. Patience and perseverance: The frog patiently endured the princess’s initial rejection and continued to insist on her keeping her promise. His patience and perseverance eventually led to the lifting of his curse and a happy ending.
7. The power of love: Love plays a significant role in this story, as it is the love between the princess and the prince that breaks the curse. This highlights the transformative power of love and its ability to bring about positive change in people’s lives.
