Princess Lily and the Frog Prince

Once upon a time, in a beautiful palace, lived a cheerful princess named Lily. Her favorite toy was a golden ball that sparkled in the sun. She would spend all day in the garden, playing by tossing her ball into the air and catching it.

One day, Lily threw her ball higher than ever before. "Whee!" went the ball, soaring past a lily pad and then... "SPLASH!"... it fell right into the pond. Princess Lily was very sad.

Just then, a friendly "Ribbit! Ribbit!" came from the water. Then, a little green frog with big, kind eyes poked his head out from behind a lily pad.

"Why are you so sad, pretty princess?" asked the frog. "My golden ball fell into the water," Lily sniffled. The frog asked, "If I bring it back for you, will you be my friend?"

Princess Lily's face lit up. The idea of a new friend made her very excited. "Of course, I will!" she said happily. "I promise, you will be my very best friend."

The frog dove into the water with a "PLOP!" and a moment later, he returned with the shiny golden ball. He gently placed it on the grass in front of Lily.

Lily was so happy to see her ball that she shouted, "Hooray!" She grabbed her ball and started running back to the palace. In her excitement, she forgot to thank her new friend.

At dinner that evening, Lily couldn't enjoy her food. She kept thinking about the frog she had left all alone by the pond. She felt very sad for not keeping her promise.

Lily ran back out to the garden. The frog was waiting patiently for her on a lily pad. "I'm so sorry," she said. "I will keep my promise. Will you come to the palace with me?"

The frog happily hopped into Lily's hand. She warmed him between her palms so he wouldn't get cold. This was the beginning of a true friendship.

With Lily's sincere and warm friendship, a magical, sparkling light surrounded the frog. When the light faded, a handsome prince with a kind smile stood in the frog's place.

"My name is Leo," said the prince. "Your kindness and your promise broke the spell." From that day on, Princess Lily and Prince Leo became the best of friends and played together in the garden every day.