The Frog Prince
Story adaptation : Robyn Bryant
Once upon a time, there lived a princess who adored
objects made of gold. Her favorite was a golden ball.
On hot days, she liked to sit beside an old well in the
cool forest, tossing the ball in the air.
One day, the ball slipped from her fingers into the
well, which was so deep that the princess could not see the
bottom.
"Oh dear! I'll never find it!" the princess said, and
began to cry.
Suddenly, a voice called out, "What's the matter,
Princess?"
When the princess looked around, she saw a green frog poking its
head out of the water.
"Oh, it's only you," she said. "Well, if you must know,
I'm upset because my golden ball feel into the well."
"I could get it back for you," the frog said. "But what
will you give me as a reward?"
"Whatever you like, frog. What about my pearls and
jewels," she suggested. "Or perhaps my golden crown?"
"What would you I do with a crown?" the frog said.
"But I'll get your ball if you promise I can be your
best friend, and come from dinner and sleep over at your
house."
"All right," the princess agreed. But secretly, she
thought the frog was talking a lot of nonsense.
The frog dove deep into the well, and soon returned with
the golden ball in its mouth.
But as soon as he dropped it at the princess's feet, she
grabbed it and ran home, without even a thank you.
"Wait!" called the frog. " I can't run that fast." But
she paid no attention to him. The princess forgot all about
the next day, as she was eating dinner with her family, she
heard something come crawling splish-splash up the marble
steps of the castle.
Then a voice called, "Princess, open the door!"
The curious princess ran to open it, but when she saw
the frog standing there, all green and dripping, she slammed
the door in his face.
The king could tell that something was the matter. "Has
a giant come to get you?" he asked.
"Oh no, father. It's only an ugly frog." she said.
"And what does a frog want with you?" the kind asked.
As the princess explained, they heard more knocking.
"Let me in princess," the frog pleaded. "Have you forgotten
what you promised me down by the well's cool water?"
"If you mad a promise, daughter, you must keep it. Let
him in," the kind said.
With a long face, the princess opened the door. The
frog gave her such a look that she changed her mind.
But the chair wasn't high enough, so the frog asked to
be lifted onto the table. And once there, he said, "Push
your golden plate closer so i can share your dinner.
The princess moved her plate, but it was quite clear she
didn't enjoy the rest of her meal.
Once the frog had eaten his fill, he said "I'm tired.
Carry me upstairs so I can sleep in your room."
The thought of sharing her room with this cold damp frog
so upset the princess she began to cry again. But the kind
said, "Get going. It's not right to turn your back on
someone who helped you when you were in trouble."
"Yes, fater," the princess said. and carefully picked up
the frog with two fingers. When she got to her room, she
set the frog down in the corner farthest from the bed.
But soon she heard the frog plop down beside her. "I'm
tired too," the frog said. "Lift me into bed, or I'll tell
your father."
So the princess tucked him into the bed, with his little
green head resting on a fluffy pillow.
But when she got back into her bed, she was surprised to
her the frog sobbing quietly. "What's the matter now, little
frog?" she asked.
"All I ever wanted was a friend," the frog replied. "But
it's clear you don't like me at all! I might as well go
back to the well."
At this, the princess felt very badly indeed. She sat
on the edge of the frog's bed. "I'll be your friend," the
princess said, and this time she meant it. Then the
princess gave him a goodnight kiss on his small green cheek.
Instantly, the frog transformed into a very handsome
young prince. The princess could not have been more
surprised and pleased.
Of course, the prince and princess became very good
friends indeed.
And a few years later, they were married, and lived
happily ever after.
The Frog Prince