One afternoon, while she was playing near the pond, the golden ball slipped from her hands and fell straight into the deep, dark water. She could not see the bottom and knew the ball was lost. Heartbroken, she sat by the water and cried. As she wept, she heard a gentle voice beside her. She looked around, expecting a person, but instead saw a small, unattractive green frog staring at her from the surface of the pond. When he asked why she was crying, she explained that her golden ball had fallen into the water. The frog offered to retrieve it but asked what she would give him in return. Desperate, she promised anything he wanted, offering jewels, pearls and even her crown, but he refused all of it. He said he only wanted to be her friend, to eat from her golden plate, drink from her cup and sleep on her soft bed. She agreed quickly even though she had no intention of keeping that promise.
The frog dove into the water and returned with the golden ball. The princess grabbed it joyfully and ran home, leaving the frog behind without a second thought. The next day, just as she sat down to eat, she heard a loud knock and a familiar voice calling from outside. It was the frog. Horrified, she ran from the door, but the king saw her fear and demanded she explain. After hearing the story, the king reminded her that a true princess must keep her word, no matter how small the promise. Reluctantly, she opened the door and let the frog inside.
The frog followed her to the table and asked to be lifted onto the seat beside her. Trembling with discomfort, she obeyed and pushed her golden plate toward him so he could eat. When he finished, the frog asked her to bring him to her bedroom so he could rest on her soft bed, just as she had promised. The princess began to cry again, but the king insisted she honor her word. She picked up the frog with two fingers and carried him upstairs. She left him in a corner, but he hopped onto her bed and insisted she let him sleep beside her. Overwhelmed with disgust and anger, she grabbed the frog and threw him against the wall, shouting for him to leave her alone.
In an instant, the frog transformed into a handsome young prince. He explained that he had been cursed by a wicked witch and that only the princess could break the spell. Her final action had shattered the enchantment. With time, the princess and the prince grew close and truly cared for one another. They eventually married in a grand celebration and lived happily together for many years, grateful for the unexpected path that brought them together.