The World of Myth Magazine

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin;

Once upon a time, in a world far, far away, there was a beautiful Princess called Petunia. The Princess had been asleep for many weeks, having drunk a magic potion, concocted by a frog.

Fredrick the Frog had hopped into town a few months ago. Very quickly he became known for his funny songs and witty jokes. News of this unusual performer reached the king. He called Fredrick to the castle. Fredrick sang a song about a cross eyed budgie, while juggling three chainsaws.

The king was so entertained that he declared him Court Jester there and then. The only person who was not impressed by his antics was Princess Petunia. Fredrick had tried to make her laugh and failed. He paid her compliments and brought her fresh flowers every day.

She rebuffed his advances, saying, “ I am a princess, why would I ever consort with a denizen of the dark woods?” Feeling hurt and humiliated, Fredrick decided to take his revenge. He had a plan, but it required a foray into a lesser-known area of the dark woods.

Having hopped through swamps, and fought off carnivorous plants, he found the keeper of the dangerous plants' patch, beneath a warped old tree and “persuade” him to hand over the Sleepy Time Toadstools he would need. Once he had finished his business, Fredrick quickly left the dank woods.

A friend of his in the castle kitchen slipped the magic toadstools into the soup, on a day that the princess was eating luncheon alone. Served with the usual pomp and ceremony, she sat alone at one end of a very long table. No sooner had the princess taken two spoonful's of the soup de jour, than she fell to the floor, quietly snoring.

The three wise fairy godmothers were called, and they had no idea how to cure her. To show how worried he was, they were incarcerated for fifty years. The king then announced a royal decree stating whomsoever could awaken the princess would have her as his bride.

Fredrick, because he was a rather clever, but slightly unkind frog, let a few more weeks pass before he hopped up, claiming he had the solution for what ailed the princess. Oh, yes, sorry, I forgot to mention. Fredrick had procured the antidote at the same time as he bought the toadstools. Up there for thinking, down there for dancing, as his wise old grandma used to say.

The king at first scoffed, then, when he’d stopped laughing, said,

“Go on then.” Fredrick said, “I don’t want your daughter’s hand in marriage. All I require is one kiss, on the lips, from the Princes.”

“I don’t see that being a problem.” said the king,

The frog produced the formula. He proffered it to the king, who poured some into the princess’s mouth. Amazingly, she woke up. After her father explained what had occurred, and she’d stopped screaming, she lifted Fredrick up, barely touched her lips to his, then screamed again as the frog was transformed into the most handsome, elegant prince she had ever seen.

The stunned princess curtsied and smiled sweetly. With a look of disdain on his face, the prince said, “What a pity you rebuffed my advances. I have kissed many princesses trying to find one who is wise, winsome, and worthy. My search goes on.”

With that, he turned back into a frog and hopped off.

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