Once Upon A Time
Once upon a time, in a land far away, a beautiful, independent, self assured princess happened upon a frog as she strolled through an ancient forest, contemplating ecological issues on the shores of an unpolluted lake miles from her castle. Surprised by its size, she gathered her skirts and sat down upon a large rock to watch it.
Under An Evil Spell
Surprisingly, the frog hopped over and onto the Princess’s lap. Looking up at her, it then said, “Elegant Lady, I was once a handsome Prince until an evil witch cast a spell upon me. One kiss from you, however, and I will turn back into the dapper, young Prince that I am. And then, my sweet, we can marry and setup housekeeping in my castle with my Mother, where you can prepare my meals, clean my clothes, bear my children, forever feel grateful and always be happy for being able to do so.”
The Princess And Prince Live Happily Ever After
The princess thought for a few moments, then very carefully picked the frog up and slipped into her satchel before taking it to the privacy of her castle. And, that very night, while enjoying a lovely meal of of fresh bread, buttered asparagus and lightly sautéed frogs legs seasoned in a white wine and onion cream sauce, she chuckled to herself and thought, “Not quite what he had in mind, I’m sure, but I find this relationship with him to be ever so much more satisfying!”
The Origin Of Princess And Frog Stories
The story commonly known as “The Frog Prince” or “The Frog King” has origins in folktales and has been retold in various cultures and various ways across the centuries. The most famous version is attributed to the Brothers Grimm in their collection of fairy tales.
The basic storyline usually involves a princess who, after losing a precious item in a well, encounters a frog. The frog promises to retrieve her item if she grants him companionship, which typically includes allowing him to live with her, eat from her plate, and sleep in her bed. Reluctantly, the princess agrees, and the frog fulfills his promise. Depending on the version, the frog is transformed into a prince either by the princess’s kiss or by being thrown against the wall.
This tale, like many fairy tales, exists in various forms across different cultures. Similar stories can be found in ancient folklore from different regions around the world. The themes in these tales often revolve around transformation, promises, kindness, and the importance of keeping one’s word.
The story of a princess and a frog, in particular, has become a popular trope in literature, theater and cinema, resonating with audiences due to its themes of transformation, love and the idea that things are not always as they seem. 🙂
