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Whilst she was speaking, a frog put its head out of the water,

and said, 'Princess, why do you weep so bitterly?' 'Alas!' said

she, 'what can you do for me, you nasty frog? My golden ball has

fallen into the spring.' The frog said, 'I want not your pearls,

and jewels, and fine clothes; but if you will love me, and let me

live with you and eat from off your golden plate, and sleep upon

your bed, I will bring you your ball again.' 'What nonsense,'

thought the princess, 'this silly frog is talking! He can never

even get out of the spring to visit me, though he may be able to

get my ball for me, and therefore I will tell him he shall have

what he asks.' So she said to the frog, 'Well, if you will bring

me my ball, I will do all you ask.' Then the frog put his head

down, and dived deep under the water; and after a little while he

came up again, with the ball in his mouth, and threw it on the

edge of the spring.