Princess Learns to Keep Her Promises After Meeting a Frog

A princess lost her golden ball and a frog helped her get it back. She promised to be friends with the frog, but she broke her promise. The king told her she must keep her word. This taught the princess a lesson about promises.
By Newsroom | Fairy Tales, Morals |

A princess's joyful reunion with a lost golden ball and a subsequent broken promise to a helpful amphibian created a chain of events that tested her character. Her initial reluctance to honor a commitment to a frog, who had assisted her, led to her father, the king, enforcing her pledge. This interaction ultimately resulted in a magical transformation, returning the frog to a prince and teaching the princess about responsibility and acceptance.

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The narrative centers on a king's youngest daughter, renowned for her beauty. Her world is disrupted when she loses her golden ball in a deep well. A frog offers to retrieve it in exchange for a promise: that she will allow him to eat with her, drink from her cup, and sleep in her bed. The princess, eager to reclaim her toy, readily agrees. However, upon recovering the ball, she flees, forgetting her commitment.

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The Princess's Reluctance and Royal Intervention

The princess's joyful retrieval of her plaything quickly gave way to dismay when the frog appeared at the palace gates, demanding the fulfillment of her promise.

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  • The princess described the frog as "ugly" and reacted with distress at the thought of him sharing her living space, even crying when he attempted to join her in her bed.

  • Her father, the king, upon learning of her broken promise, intervened. He insisted that she must honor her word, stating, "He who helped you in the time of your trouble, must not now be despised!"

  • This royal decree compelled the princess to accept the frog's company, albeit with visible displeasure, holding him with two fingers and placing him in a corner of her chamber.

Transformation and Enduring Morals

The tale culminates in a literal and figurative transformation for both the frog and the princess, highlighting the importance of keeping promises and overcoming superficial judgments.

  • In some retellings, the princess's distress escalates to the point where she throws the frog against a wall in a fit of anger. Was this act a catalyst for the magic?

  • Following this act, the frog is transformed back into a handsome prince.

  • The story suggests that Heinrich's heart ached with sorrow when the prince was turned into a frog, leading him to place three iron bands around his chest. This detail, though specific to certain versions, might allude to the depth of grief and loyalty involved.

  • The princess, too, undergoes an emotional evolution, learning to keep her promises and eventually accepting the frog as a companion, leading to their betrothal.

Scholarly Perspectives on the Narrative

Commentators on fairy tales have examined "The Frog Prince" for its underlying messages and recurrent themes.

  • One analysis notes the frequent appearance of "The Frog Prince" theme in fairy tale imagery, suggesting its persistent resonance.

  • The author of this analysis expressed a personal dislike for the story but acknowledged its capacity to provoke thought on its "moral of the story." Does this suggest a divisive quality to the narrative's message?

  • The Prince was turned into a frog by a "grand display."

  • The Princess promised to keep her commitment to the frog.

  • The King insisted the Princess keep her promise.

  • The Frog was transformed back into a prince.

Conclusion and Lingering Questions

The story of "The Frog Prince" serves as a parable where initial revulsion and broken promises lead to a deeper understanding of commitment and character. The princess's journey from a spoiled child to one who honors her word underscores the narrative's enduring appeal.

  • The exact nature of the "grand display" that transformed the prince remains a subject of interpretation, but its consequence was his amphibian state.

  • The king's role is pivotal in ensuring his daughter upholds her agreements, acting as an arbiter of fairness.

  • The ultimate transformation signifies the triumph of inner worth over outward appearance, and the power of keeping one's word.

Sources Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did the princess lose?
The princess lost her golden ball. It fell into a deep well.
Q: What did the frog want in return for the ball?
The frog wanted the princess to let him eat with her, drink from her cup, and sleep in her bed.
Q: Why did the king make the princess keep her promise?
The king believed it was important to keep promises, especially to someone who helped you. He said she must not forget the one who helped her.
Q: What happened to the frog in the end?
The frog turned back into a prince. This happened after the princess finally accepted him.
Q: What lesson does the story teach?
The story teaches that it is important to keep your promises. It also shows that you should not judge people by how they look.