Frog King, illustrated by Oskar Herrfurth
Frog King (today more known as Frog Prince) is one of the most popular fairy tales in the world. Brothers Grimm put it at the beginning of their collection in the first edition in 1812 and it stayed there till the last (seventh) edition published before their death.
Essentially it's a story about the importance of a given word with a very graphic presentation of the most important element of each fairy tale: transformation. Transformed is not only the title character but other characters as well. Before we disclose the whole story by analyzing it, let's explore it with illustrations by Oskar Herrfurth.
Frog King (today more known as Frog Prince) is one of the most popular fairy tales in the world. Brothers Grimm put it at the beginning of their collection in the first edition in 1812 and it stayed there till the last (seventh) edition published before their death.
Essentially it's a story about the importance of a given word with a very graphic presentation of the most important element of each fairy tale: transformation. Transformed is not only the title character but other characters as well. Before we disclose the whole story by analyzing it, let's explore it with illustrations by Oskar Herrfurth.
Once upon a time, there was a young princess who used to go to the well every day. There she played with her golden ball. But accidents happen and once the ball falls into the well.
The princess cried.
Then a frog appeared. It was not an ordinary frog because it could speak.
The frog asked the princess about her crying and she explained her problem.
The frog said he could probably dive into the well and rescue the ball. Would she care to award him for his efforts?
The princess promised him money and jewelry but the frog wanted something else. He wanted to become her companion.
Will she share her food on her plate with him?
Will she share her toys?
Will she share her room?
The princess promised everything and the frog recovered the golden ball. Happily, she took the ball, forgetting about her promises, and ran away. Back to the castle!
But the frog went after her. It was a long journey for a little fellow.
And when he reached the castle the door was closed and when somebody finally noticed him the princess didn't want to let him in.
Yet he was persistent.
The princess cried.
Then a frog appeared. It was not an ordinary frog because it could speak.
The frog asked the princess about her crying and she explained her problem.
The frog said he could probably dive into the well and rescue the ball. Would she care to award him for his efforts?
The princess promised him money and jewelry but the frog wanted something else. He wanted to become her companion.
Will she share her food on her plate with him?
Will she share her toys?
Will she share her room?
The princess promised everything and the frog recovered the golden ball. Happily, she took the ball, forgetting about her promises, and ran away. Back to the castle!
But the frog went after her. It was a long journey for a little fellow.
And when he reached the castle the door was closed and when somebody finally noticed him the princess didn't want to let him in.
Yet he was persistent.
When the king heard about the accident he became very angry. His daughter gave her word and didn't keep her promise. Something like that is not appropriate, especially for royal blood.
The king didn't care that the promise was given to the amphibian. It was the princess' word and that's that. He ordered to put the frog on the table, so he could eat from the princess' plate.
The king didn't care that the promise was given to the amphibian. It was the princess' word and that's that. He ordered to put the frog on the table, so he could eat from the princess' plate.
She was disgusted. No chance she would eat from the same plate now!
But this victory wasn't enough for her slimy companion. After dinner, he wanted to play with her toys in her room!
The princess was infuriated. No way she would take this nasty amphibian with her!
But the king made her to.
But this victory wasn't enough for her slimy companion. After dinner, he wanted to play with her toys in her room!
The princess was infuriated. No way she would take this nasty amphibian with her!
But the king made her to.
The frog became more and more self-confident. After all, everything has gone well for him so far, right?
In the princess' room, he soon lost interest in toys. Then he had another idea. Something much much better.
He wanted to sleep in her bed...
This was too much for the princess. And her father wasn't there. So she decided to take things into her own hands.
Things?
The frog!
She grabbed the animal and threw it at the wall.
In the princess' room, he soon lost interest in toys. Then he had another idea. Something much much better.
He wanted to sleep in her bed...
This was too much for the princess. And her father wasn't there. So she decided to take things into her own hands.
Things?
The frog!
She grabbed the animal and threw it at the wall.
Imagine her surprise when she realized the slimy frog transformed into a handsome prince!
He was cursed and could retain his real look only after finding somebody who would accept him - to eat and play and sleep with him.
Well, the persistent frog obviously achieved enough to get rid of the spell. Now what?
Marriage, of course!
He was cursed and could retain his real look only after finding somebody who would accept him - to eat and play and sleep with him.
Well, the persistent frog obviously achieved enough to get rid of the spell. Now what?
Marriage, of course!
The story ends with the frog prince and his bride driving towards his castle. On the way, a strange sound could be heard. That was the cracking of an iron ring that his faithful servant put around his heart when his master became enchanted so his heart would not break off sadness.
Now his heart can freely beat again!
This is why this fairy tale is sometimes called Iron Henry. After the servant.
Now his heart can freely beat again!
This is why this fairy tale is sometimes called Iron Henry. After the servant.