Re-writing the classics: The frog prince

I sat at the pond side, my nostrils were burning, the foul aroma of the waste filled water almost palpable on my tongue. The other frogs were happily sunbathing in the putrid green waters. I tried to stay by the flowers hoping they would help to permeate the air by my head. It did not work. I’d read the story books about princess’ and frog prince’s when I was younger, but I had never believed them to be true.  They were all from the point of view of the poor lonely princess’, the books never delved into the traumatic journey that princes had to go through. I was slimy and stinky and my webbed feet were sticking to every surface. How was I supposed to get a princess to kiss me if I looked like this? I was murky brown and my mouth was full of flies. Id tried to stop myself from eating them, but my long curling tongue shot out of its own accord.

 I’d been determined to avoid the water but as my scales dried the pain forced me to inch closer to the algae filled muck. I timidly slipped a webbed toe into the water. It was as slimy as my skin, but the coolness of it was soothing. I submerged myself leaving just my bulging yellow eyes above the surface. I could swim as a human but this felt different, my body was like a golf ball, I was buoyant. The other frogs jolted at my movement and began to slither over. They were like sniffing dogs, they surrounded me there out-turned eyes observing each brown spec on my body. I hopped away in discomfort. The strength of these legs amazed me, they propelled me through the air and pushed me far up onto the bank of the pond. I could not stand this. No wonder frog princes always traveled to croak by a princess’ window. The frog life was unbearable. I hopped up through the woods and headed to the right. I hoped it was the right direction but with no height to my frame I could not be sure. The forest engulfed me as soon as I stepped into it, the only saving grace being that it offered shade from the cruel sun. I traveled for hours before catching a glimpse of the castle. It was like a typical fairyland, tall torrents, painted glass windows, intricate brick walls, with a moat and a huge wooden gate. I was thrilled to see the water in the moat. It was far from clean but it was miles better than the polluted pond id been forced into. I dived in head first, if I was to kiss a princess I would at least be clean.

My slime coated back helped me to push through the iron bars of the grate at the bottom of the moat. I swam up into the water well, apologizing in my head for the poor villagers that were going to have to drink from it. I hopped onto the side and was greeted with a symphony of children’s squeals. I scurried out of sight praying to avoid a commotion. I did not want to be seen like this.  My father would be arriving soon for the banquet tonight and I could not bare to enrage him further. My exit from home three days ago had done enough damage. The irony of it all was that I was going to help his plan. This entire feast had been pup-petered so that I could meet the princess, impress her father and ask for her hand. But I didn’t want to marry her. She was beautiful, but she was a stranger and it just didn’t feel right. But I couldn’t bare to stay a frog so I would have to kiss her, and the romance that always blossomed after a frog kiss would play right into my father’s hand. 

It was easy enough to find her room she was sat by the window braiding her hair. Well at least one of us could preen for our first meeting. I took a deep breath then panicked as my chest ballooned, how did frogs do it? Without another thought I plopped onto the window sill. Her eyes bulged similarly to mine. She moved backwards and confusion painted her face.  I could see her mind figuring it out. Sympathy replaced the confusion and she stepped forward. “you better be a prince” I looked down. Oh, god no backing out now. Her smooth rose petals lips caressed the top of my head. I waited. Nothing happened. What? It was supposed to work, why was I still slimy. The princess stepped back, paused then screamed. “oh god you’re actually a frog, oh that’s disgusting” she slammed the window down and I fell. I landed in the stables, my fall cushioned by a bale of hay. I stayed still, looking up at the ceiling trying to figure out what was happening. Then I saw his hair. A messy brown mop that I would notice anywhere. He was leading my father’s horse into a stall. Sam would help me I was sure of it, but how could I tell him what was happening.

I scurried around the floor trying to shape a M into the dust. He turned at the noise. He jumped back at the sight of me and lifted his leg. I let out a croak and jumped back. He looked sweet his hair had bounced away from his face and I could see his eyes, they were pale grey and they never failed to dazzle me. It was a color I had not seen on anyone other than him. He glanced at the ground and realization flickered in his eyes. “Max?”... is that you?” 

I hopped towards him hoping the gesture would be taken as a yes. 

“oh you poor old soul, what did you do?” he paused after he spoke and then chuckled. 

It was a musical sound and it instantly made me feel peaceful. 

“of course, you can’t reply” he scooped me up into his hand.

 Before I could process what was happening he lowered his lips to my head. It was a sweet gesture, done out of love to comfort me. It felt right. I tingled all over, I felt warm. Then I was on the floor. I was human again. I suddenly understood why the princess’ kiss hadn’t worked. It wasn’t true love. She wasn’t my Sam.