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THE FROG PRINCE. |
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seizing the frog in her hand, she dashed him with all her strength against the wall, saying, "You will be quiet now I hope, you ugly
frog."
But as he fell, how surprised she was to see the frog change into a handsome young Prince, with beautiful friendly eyes, who afterwards became her constant companion, and at last her father gave his consent to their marriage.
Before it took place, however, the Prince told them his history, how he had been changed into a frog by a wicked witch, and that she had condemned him to live in the fountains until a king's daughter should come and release him. No one else in the world had the power to do so.
After they were married, the young Prince proposed that he should take his bride to his own kingdom. So on the wedding day, a splendid carriage drawn by eight white horses drove up to the door. They had white feathers on their heads and golden harness, and by the side of the carriage stood the Prince's steward, the faithful Harry. This faithful Harry had been so unhappy when his master was changed into a frog, that he had fastened three iron bands round his heart, to prevent it from bursting with woe and sorrow.
The carriage with the Prince and his bride soon drove away with Harry behind in his old place, and full of joy at the release of his master. They had not travelled far when they heard a loud crack—as if something had broken.
Now the Prince knew nothing of the iron bands round his servant's heart, so he cried out, "Harry, is the carriage breaking?"
" No sire," he replied, " only the iron bands which I bound round my heart for fear it should burst with sorrow while you were a frog confined to the fountain. They are breaking now because I am so happy to see my master restored to his own shape, and travelling to his kingdom with a beautiful bride."
The Prince and Princess never forgot faithful Harry, who had loved his master so well while he was in trouble. |
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