The Frog Princess
Prince Ivan's arrow lands near a frog in a marsh; the frog is really Vasilisa the Wise.
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Once upon a time a tsar had three sons. One day the tsar said to his sons: "Each of you shoot an arrow. Whoever's garden your arrow lands in, that is the girl you will marry." The eldest son's arrow landed in a nobleman's garden, and the middle son's in a merchant's courtyard. But the youngest son Ivan's arrow flew and flew and landed in a marsh. When Ivan found his arrow, he saw a green frog holding it in its mouth.
The frog spoke: "Ivan, take your arrow, and take me with you." Ivan was sad, but he kept his word; he took the frog to the palace. Everyone laughed, but Ivan did not care.
The tsar wanted to test his daughters-in-law: "By tomorrow morning, each of you bake me a loaf of bread." Ivan went back to his room, unhappy. "Don't worry, Ivan, go to sleep," said the frog. When Ivan was asleep, the frog took off her skin, and out stepped a beautiful girl. This was Vasilisa the Wise. She clapped her hands, all her servants came, and by morning a snow-white, beautifully decorated loaf was ready. When the tsar saw the bread, he was delighted.
Next the tsar asked for a carpet. The frog's carpet was embroidered with gold and silver threads, and the whole kingdom could be seen on it. Finally the tsar gave a great feast. Ivan came alone; the frog had said, "You go ahead, I'll follow." In the middle of the feast a golden carriage arrived, and out stepped Vasilisa the Wise. Everyone was amazed at her beauty. As Vasilisa danced, she waved one arm and a lake appeared; she waved the other arm and swans began to swim on the lake.
Ivan was overjoyed, but he grew impatient. He ran home and threw the frog skin into the fire. When Vasilisa came back, she wept: "Ivan, if you had waited a little longer, I would have stayed with you forever. Now you must look for me in faraway lands, in the palace of Koschei the Deathless." And she turned into a swan and flew away.
Ivan set out. On the way he was kind to a bear, a falcon and a fish, and they helped him in return. At last he found the needle that held Koschei's power and broke it. Vasilisa the Wise was free. They went home together and lived happily ever after.
This tale tells us: beauty is not in how someone looks, but in the heart. And patience is stronger than even the greatest magic.
The tale ends here. Sleep well.
The Frog Princess is a children's tale from Russian folk tale, suitable for ages 6-11 and about 3 minutes long. Read it free on Masal Merkezi, play a lullaby or nature sound in the background, tap any word to see its Turkish meaning and save it to your favorites. For similar tales browse the World Tales category.
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