The Princess and the Golden Ball
A long time ago, when wishes still worked, there was a king with many beautiful daughters. The youngest was so stunning that even the sun, which had seen everything, paused in amazement whenever it shone on her face. Near the King’s castle, there was a huge dark forest with an old lime tree, and under that tree, a well with cool, clear water. On warm days, the youngest princess loved to visit the forest, sitting beside the well to relax. Her favorite thing to do was toss her golden ball high into the air and catch it. It was her most cherished toy.
One day, while playing with the ball, it slipped from her fingers, hit the ground, and rolled right into the well. The princess watched in shock as the golden ball disappeared into the deep water, so deep she couldn’t see the bottom. Heartbroken, she began to cry, her sobs growing louder and louder until she couldn’t stop. Nothing seemed to make her feel better.
The Frog’s Deal
As she cried by the well, a voice suddenly said, “Why are you crying so, princess? Even a stone would feel sorry for you!” She looked around and saw a frog sticking its head out of the water.
“Oh, it’s you, old frog,” she said. “I’m crying because my golden ball fell into the well.”
“Don’t cry,” replied the frog. “I can help you, but you’ll need to promise me something in return. If I get your ball back, you have to let me be your friend. You’ll need to let me sit at your little table, eat from your little golden plate, drink from your little cup, and even sleep in your little bed.”
The princess agreed, saying, “Yes, yes, I promise, just get my ball back.” She thought to herself, “How silly! A frog living in the water can’t possibly be a real friend.”
The frog, having received her promise, dove into the well and soon came back with the golden ball in his mouth. He dropped it on the grass, and the princess, thrilled to have her toy back, grabbed it and ran. “Wait, wait!” called the frog. “Take me with you. I can’t move as fast as you.” But the princess didn’t listen and dashed home, leaving the poor frog to hop back into the well.
An Unwelcome Guest
The next day, while the princess was having breakfast with the King and the courtiers, she heard a splash, splash, splash coming up the marble stairs. When it reached the top, there was a knock at the door and a voice called, “Princess, youngest princess, open the door for me!” Curious, she went to see who it was, but when she opened the door, there was the frog from the well sitting right outside. Startled, she quickly shut the door and hurried back to her meal, feeling nervous.
The King noticed how frightened she looked and asked, “My dear child, what’s wrong? Is there a giant outside who wants to take you away?”
“Oh no,” she replied. “It’s not a giant, but a nasty frog.”
“What does a frog want with you?” the King asked.
“Well, Father,” she explained, “yesterday while I was playing near the well, my golden ball fell in. The frog helped me get it back, and in return, I promised he could be my friend. I didn’t think he would actually come out of the water, but now he’s outside and wants to come in.”
As they spoke, the frog knocked again and called, “Princess! Youngest princess! Open the door for me! Don’t you remember what you promised me by the well yesterday? Open the door for me!”
The King said, “A promise is a promise. Go and let him in.”
Fulfilling The Deal
The princess went to the door and let the frog in. He hopped after her, following her every step until he reached her chair. “Please, lift me up beside you,” he croaked. She hesitated, but the King told her she had to do it. Once the frog was on the chair, he asked to be moved to the table. “Now, push your little golden plate closer to me so we can eat together,” he said. She did as he asked, though she didn’t look very happy about it. The frog enjoyed his meal, but every bite she took seemed to make her more uncomfortable.
After eating, the frog said, “I’m full, and now I’m tired. Please carry me to your room and make your bed ready for us to sleep.” The princess began to cry because she didn’t want the cold, slimy frog in her pretty bed. But the King became upset and said, “You must keep your promise to the frog, as he helped you when you needed it.”
Reluctantly, the princess picked up the frog with just two fingers and carried him upstairs to her room, placing him in a corner. Later, when she was in bed, the frog crawled over and looked up at her with tired eyes. “I’m tired too.”
Feeling uncertain, the princess hesitated, but then gently picked up the frog and placed him on her pillow. “Alright, little frog, I’ll keep my promise,” she said softly. As she spoke kindly to him, a warm glow filled the room. Suddenly, the frog began to shimmer and change. Before her eyes, he transformed into a handsome prince with kind, gentle eyes. The princess realized that her act of kindness had broken the spell that had kept him trapped as a frog.
The prince explained that he had been cursed by an evil witch and that only the princess could break the spell. Thanks to her bravery, he was free at last. He told her that they would travel to his kingdom the next day, and they went to sleep, excited for their new adventure together.
The Journey Home
The next morning, when the sun peeked over the horizon, a grand carriage arrived, drawn by eight white horses with fluffy ostrich feathers and shiny golden harnesses. Standing proudly behind the carriage was Faithful Henry, the young prince’s loyal servant. Henry had been so heartbroken when his master was turned into a frog that he had wrapped his heart with three iron bands to keep it from breaking with sadness.
As Henry helped the prince and princess into the carriage, he beamed with joy. During their journey, the prince heard a strange cracking noise. Worried, he asked, “Henry, is the carriage falling apart?”
Henry smiled and replied, “No, master, it’s not the carriage. It’s just the bands around my heart breaking because I am so happy that you’re free and happy again.”
With each crack, the prince realized it was only the iron bands loosening from Henry’s heart, a sign of his deep joy that his beloved master was restored to his true self.