The Frog Prince

Once upon a time, a king had a beautiful daughter who was a little bit spoiled. Her favorite toy was a golden ball. One day, she was playing in the garden by a deep well when the ball slipped from her hands and plop! — fell into the water. The princess cried and cried. Suddenly, a little green frog popped his head out of the well. "Why are you crying, princess?" he asked.

A Promise Made

"My golden ball fell in!" sobbed the princess. "I can fetch it for you," said the frog, "but what will you give me?" "Anything! My jewels, my dresses, my crown!" cried the princess. "No," said the frog. "I only ask that you let me be your friend — eat from your plate, drink from your cup, and sleep on your pillow." The princess thought to herself, "What a silly frog! He can never leave the well." So she promised quickly, "Yes, yes, I promise!"

Down dived the frog, and up he came with the golden ball. The princess grabbed it and ran back to the palace, forgetting her promise completely. But that evening, as the royal family sat at dinner, there came a knock at the door. Plip! Plop! Plip! Plop! It was the little frog! "Princess, you promised!" he said. The princess turned pale. The king heard the story and said firmly, "A promise is a promise, my daughter. You must keep your word."

The Spell Is Broken

So the princess let the frog eat from her golden plate, though she wrinkled her nose. She let him drink from her cup, though she sighed. But when it was time for bed, she could not bear it. She picked up the frog and threw him against the wall in anger! Poor frog! But instead of falling, he turned — into a handsome young prince! "Thank you!" he cried. "A wicked witch turned me into a frog, and only a princess keeping her promise could break the spell!"

The princess was ashamed of her rudeness and asked his forgiveness. They became true friends, and in time they were married. The princess was never spoiled again, for she had learned what really matters.

An Unwelcome Guest

The little frog hopped to the table and sat beside the princess's golden plate. "Lift me up, please," he said politely. The princess shivered, but her father nodded, so she lifted the cold, slippery frog with two fingers. The frog ate peas and cake from her plate with very good manners, saying "Thank you" after every bite. The princess barely touched her own dinner. She wished the evening would end.

When bedtime came, the king himself carried the frog to the princess's room on a silk cushion. "He may sleep in the corner," said the princess quickly. But the frog looked up with big round eyes and said, "You promised I could sleep on your soft pillow." The king frowned at his daughter. The princess sighed deeply. She was learning that promises are easy to make and hard to keep — but a royal promise must be kept.

Moral of the Story

Always keep your promises. Kindness and keeping your word can work magic.