A handsome prince was transformed into a frog by a wicked witch. His attempts in reversing the spell resulted in him being thrown by a disgusted princess who emptily promised him her love when she was in need of his help.
The Brothers Grimm | The Frog Prince (1812)
A beautiful princess was turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer. The curse was almost broken when a prince vowed to love her. But the vow was broken through the wizard’s deceit, which caused the prince to fall for another.
Begichev & Geltser | Swan Lake (1877)
· ─ ·✦· ─ · ༻✧༺ · ─ ·✦· ─ ·
“You demanded that you sleep with her? In her very own bed?” Her voice is shrill, matching her scandalized expression. Well, he assumes so. One can’t normally tell the facial expression of a bird, but he could conclude from the way her black, beady eyes bore into him. He scoffs, causing his chest to puff up involuntarily. He lets his chest deflate before replying. “I did not demand. She asked for a favor, and I simply laid out my conditions.”
He hops along the path with great speed and agility, leaving the swan waddling with her short webbed feet behind him. Perhaps having batrachian legs isn’t as shameful as he initially thought. Swans are inherently graceful creatures, but they look silly walking on land.
The frog halts and turns back to her. “Me retrieving her precious golden ball from the well in exchange for her love and companionship. I consider it a fair trade.” As he speaks the last sentence, the white bird finally reaches his side and regards him with a meaningful glare. “Though many might argue that it is not, and perhaps it isn’t,” he resigns reluctantly, jumping forward a few paces while the swan seemingly rolls her eyes. “But even so," the frog continues, “when opportunity presents itself, take it. I did, and rightfully so, as the princess agreed to my proposal.”
The swan follows him. “But look where it got you, thrown outside the window and into the lake,” she remarks.
The frog snickers. “And you think I regret that decision because it did not conclude as I intended? ” He shakes his head. “That’s where you are mistaken. I do not regret taking chances, especially in desperate situations such as this. What I would regret is not taking them.”
He then gives a dry chuckle. “On top of that…” he points a long finger at the bird. “You are in no position to criticize my failure in breaking my curse. Yours is just as unbroken as mine, yet you spoke of a prince who you’ve claimed vowed to love you just as my princess did.” The frog goes further along the path before pausing, tilting his small head thoughtfully. “Now, come to think of it, I don’t recall you ever mentioning what exactly you are cursed with.” With that, he looks at her expectantly.
At that, the swan slowly stops in her tracks, blinking thoughtfully.
After a few beats, she bows down forlornly. “I’d rather not. It’s no use learning what it is; it wouldn’t change anything. It’s been made permanent.”
“Permanent?” The frog repeats, intrigued, his large eyes wider than they usually are. He hops several steps back and positions himself in front of her.
“Yes. I had failed my only chance to break it; the consequence of that is the permanence of my curse.”
“I see, that’s…” He considers his next words carefully. "Unfortunate," he finishes. Her fate is sealed, then. He feels sorry for her, truly, despite his weak attempt in expressing it. Pondering on that thought brings the frog to a question.
“Then why did you agree to come to my aid in breaking mine?”
“Pardon?" The swan raises her head to meet the frog’s inquisitive stare. “Well, I embarked on this journey with the idea that we are both after the same thing. But now, considering your circumstance, that’s not the case anymore, is it? Surely you are after something," the frog answers.
The amphibian stands upright on his two feet, crossing his arms. “Come on now, you don’t expect me to believe this is a noble act of charity. Perhaps you’re driven by merely the desire for adventure? Ah, maybe it’s a reward you are seeking. What is it? Name your price.”
“Not everyone helps those in need only because it benefits them in return. Unlike what you did with your prin—"
“And once again, I only—"
“Moving forward.” The swan cuts him off firmly before continuing in a much somber tone. “I am unable to break my own curse, the least I can do is help another avoid that fate.” Her voice is laced with suppressed heartbreak and brave determination.
She bends her long neck as she leans toward him. Now that their faces are at the same level, she is able to directly gaze at his wet, bulbous eyes. “I have lost all hope. Hopelessness leaves you broken, hollow, and empty. Then you gave me what I had lost.” Her eyes shine earnestly. “I may not have any hope left for myself, but I have hope for you, in you, that you would break free from your curse, whatever it may be. If you truly need me to ask for something in exchange for my help, then please, give me hope.”
gracieabrams
gummygunk
vaporwave
s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s
prguitarman
stormborns
origamiaround
theartofmadeline
