Long ago, in a kingdom surrounded by a lush, enchanting forest, there lived a curious princess whose beauty shone brighter than the sun.
Her father, the king, ruled over the land from his grand castle. In the heart of the forest stood an ancient lime tree beside a sparkling spring, where the princess often wandered, drawn by the magic of nature.
One day, as she played beneath the tree, tossing her golden ball into the air, she felt the joy of each carefree moment.
But when she missed a catch, the ball tumbled into the spring and vanished with a gentle splash. She felt a pang of sadness.

Just then, a gentle voice called out,
”Why are you sad, princess? I'm sure we can solve this together.”
Startled, she looked around and saw a small frog peeking out from the water.
”Was it you, little frog?”
she asked in surprise.
”I'm upset because my golden ball has fallen into the spring, and I can't retrieve it.”
The frog looked at her with friendly eyes and said,
”Don't worry, I can help! But I would like to be your friend and share in your world. I'd love to sit at your table, eat and drink with you, and live in your beautiful garden. Will you promise me this?”
The princess, thinking only of her ball, agreed eagerly.
”Yes, I promise!”
she said, her heart hopeful that the frog could indeed help her.

With a joyful splash, the frog dived into the shimmering water, disappearing beneath the surface. Moments later, he emerged with the golden ball in his mouth and rolled it gently onto the grass. The princess, overjoyed, picked up her treasured toy and, forgetting her promise in her excitement, ran home as fast as she could. The frog called after her,
”Wait, princess! I can't move as fast as you!”
But she was already far away, her heart light with happiness. She didn't realise that keeping promises is an adventure of its own, and every promise made is a bridge to something wonderful.

The next day, as the royal family sat together at the grand dining table, enjoying a feast from golden plates and cups, there came a soft, rhythmic sound from the marble stairs: splish-splash, splish-splash. It was the frog, making his way to the castle. He knocked gently on the door and called out,
”King's youngest daughter, open the door and let me in!”
The princess paused, remembering her promise. She felt a little unsure, but she also knew that every new experience, no matter how surprising, could lead to something wonderful.

The princess went to the door and peeked outside. Seeing the frog, she was taken aback and shut the door quickly, her heart racing.
”My child, what is troubling you?”
asked the king, her father, noticing her hesitation.
”Did you see something scary?”
”No, father,” she replied, trying to steady her voice,
”it's not a giant, but the frog I met at the spring. He helped me retrieve my golden ball, and I promised he could be my friend and sit with me, eat with me, and live in my garden. But I never thought he would really come.”
The king, wise and gentle, smiled and said,
”My dear, every promise reflects your character. When you honour your word, it shows your strength and integrity. You must welcome him in and stand by what you've said.”

Hearing the frog's gentle knock again, the princess took a deep breath and opened the door, inviting him in. The frog hopped cheerfully beside her chair.
”Take me up beside you,” he said, his voice filled with hope. She hesitated, but the king reminded her,
”A promise kept is a gift shared, my daughter. Lift him up, as that was your word.”
The princess gently picked up the frog and placed him on the chair next to her. She realised that courage is not just facing fear but also embracing the unexpected with an open heart.

The frog, now sitting beside the princess, asked for a plate and a golden cup, just like hers. Though she felt a bit uncomfortable, she remembered her promise and what the frog did for her. As they ate and drank together, she began to see that being open to new friendships and experiences was enriching her world in surprising ways. When the frog finally said,
”I'm tired now. Please, let me rest in your beautiful garden under the starlit sky, as you promised.”
The princess hesitated, but then her honourable nature took over. Keeping her promise was part of who she is—the strength of commitment and the beauty of trust.

Though she felt a little uneasy, the princess gently carried the frog outside to her garden, finding a peaceful, shady spot beneath the moonlit sky.
As she set him down, she realised that fulfilling her promise brought a sense of peace.
Her father, watching from the castle window, smiled proudly, knowing that his daughter was learning the true magic of integrity and kindness.

The princess, determined to keep her word, placed the frog in a cool, comfortable spot in her garden. But the frog, wanting to rest near the flowers, said,
”I'm still tired. Please move me to that shaded place over there.”
Though a bit frustrated, the princess took a deep breath and gently moved him, realising that patience and understanding are also part of the promises we keep.

As she stood there, a tear of frustration welled in her eye, but she wiped it away, reminding herself that every challenge teaches a valuable lesson. Suddenly, in a swirl of shimmering light, the frog transformed into a handsome prince.
”Don't cry, princess,” he said softly.
”Your bravery and commitment have broken a powerful spell. I was cursed by a wicked enchantress to live as a frog until someone like you, with a true and caring heart, would keep her promise to me. You have freed me, and now I am myself again.”
The garden around them seemed to glow brighter, as if celebrating the magic of her actions.

The next morning, as the sun rose in the sky, a splendid coach drawn by eight white horses arrived to take the prince back to his kingdom.
By his side was his loyal servant, Henry, who had mourned deeply for his master during the years he was enchanted.
Henry had wrapped three iron bands around his heart to prevent it from breaking from sorrow.
But now, seeing his prince free and happy, the bands began to loosen and break, one by one, releasing his joy and hope.

As the coach moved through the kingdom, the prince and princess watched the world around them with a sense of wonder. Henry, riding behind them, felt the last of the iron bands around his heart snap with a loud crack.
”What is that sound, Henry?”
asked the prince.
”It is the sound of my heart being healed, my prince,” Henry replied, smiling.
”My heart, like yours, is now free and full of joy, for I see you happy and your journey fulfilled.”
And so, they rode on, the sun setting gently behind them, leaving a trail of light and hope in their wake.
They knew that the true magic lay not just in breaking a spell, but in the courage to believe in promises, the strength to keep them, and the beauty of discovering the extraordinary in the most unexpected places.