The Frog and the Princess

Once upon a time, in a grand castle surrounded by a lush, green forest, there lived a lovely princess. She was not only beautiful but also kind-hearted, and she loved to spend her days wandering through the castle gardens, playing with a golden ball her father, the king, had given her.

One warm afternoon, the princess was tossing her golden ball near a deep, dark well. She threw it high into the sky, but when she reached out to catch it, she missed, and the ball fell into the well with a loud splash. The princess hurried to the edge and peered down, watching as her precious ball sank deeper into the dark water.

“Oh no! My golden ball!” she cried, tears welling up in her eyes. She sat by the well, sobbing, when suddenly she heard a gentle voice.

“Why are you crying, dear princess?” asked the voice. The princess looked around but saw no one. Then, she glanced down and noticed a small frog sitting at the edge of the well, looking up at her with big, round eyes.

“Oh, it’s just you, little frog,” she said, her voice heavy with sadness. “My golden ball fell into the well, and I can’t reach it.”

The frog gazed at her with understanding and said, “I can retrieve your ball for you, princess, but what will you give me in return?”

The princess, eager to have her ball back, quickly replied, “You can have my jewels, my crown, or anything you desire.”

But the frog shook his head. “I do not want your jewels or your crown. But if you promise to be my friend, to let me eat from your plate and sleep on your pillow, then I will dive down and fetch your golden ball.”

The princess, thinking the frog’s request was rather silly, agreed with a smile. “Of course, little frog, I promise.”

Without hesitation, the frog leaped into the well and soon emerged, holding the golden ball in his mouth. The princess was overjoyed. She took the ball from the frog and ran back to the castle, forgetting all about her promise.

That evening, as the princess sat down to dinner with her father, there was a gentle knock at the door. The king opened it and found the little frog sitting patiently outside. The frog politely reminded the king of the promise the princess had made.

The wise and just king looked at his daughter and said, “My dear, a promise is a promise, no matter how small. You must keep your word.”

Reluctantly, the princess allowed the frog to join them at the dinner table. The frog hopped onto the table and ate from her plate, just as she had promised. That night, much to her dismay, the frog slept on her pillow. Though she found it strange and uncomfortable, she kept her promise.

The next day, and the day after that, the frog continued to eat from her plate and sleep on her pillow. But something began to change. As time passed, the princess started to notice the frog’s gentle and kind nature. She began to care for him and found herself enjoying his company.

Then one evening, as the frog lay on her pillow, the princess leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on his small, green head. In that very moment, the frog transformed into a handsome prince! The princess gasped in astonishment.

The prince smiled warmly and explained, “I was cursed by a wicked witch and turned into a frog. Only the kiss of a true friend could break the spell. Thank you, dear princess, for your kindness and friendship.”

From that day forward, the princess and the prince became the best of friends. Their friendship soon blossomed into love, and they decided to marry. The kingdom celebrated their wedding with great joy, and the prince and princess lived happily ever after, always remembering the magic of kindness, promises, and true friendship.