The Little Frog

Once upon a time there was a very small toad that lived in a huge and very green swamp, full of other animals and big frogs that jumped from one place to another and plunged into the water. There was some plants that dissolved in foam so when a frog jumped into the water it formed large bubbles that would float around it. The larger the toad that threw itself into the water was, the larger were the bubbles that began to float in the air around the growing rings of the swamp after the fall. One time the little toad was swimming quietly around when a large frog dived right into the water beside him and lifted him into a huge bubble that flew away its prisoner without bursting under he’s weight. The wind lifted the toad so much and it was taking him so far that the poor little animal began to think that he would never return home. But, if he did not come out of the bubble it would be the same since otherwise he would die of hunger and thirst in there. The breeze always kept him high in the sky, but every time he went down a little, enough to not kill himself in the fall, the toad tried to break the bubble and free himself from his prison. But it was useless, he was too small, and the bubble was too big.

The gale took the toad very far away and from the top it allowed him to see incredible wonders. He saw a desert of sand so fine that it was white and rose with the slightest breeze. Had there been a fly there it would´ve caused a sandstorm. He also saw a very very green forest, full of huge leaves. But it was infested with a plague that ate them and with the bites it drew shapes and adornments so fine and elaborate that they seemed to be made by an artist. The view of decorated trees seemed extracted from a magical wonderland. From the top he also contemplated a huge meadow full of red flowers. It was so big and mysterious in its monotone nature that the toad wanted to go down and brush against the bright petals, breaking the bubble and staying there forever. And as if a higher force wanted to fulfill his desire, he saw himself descending closer and closer to the flowers. But when he was about to touch them, the red petals opened and flew away. They were butterflies and the wind of their wings propelled the bubble skyward again. Sad and disappointed the toad turned to look down and was surprised by the most extraordinary image in the world. Like a wave the red butterflies rose from the flowers that were white as snow beneath, it looked like a winter landscape. Then the cardinal butterflies returned to the petals in another immense and beautiful wave that again hid the absent color of the flowers.

On his long journey the toad also met many people who he asked to release him. Once he entered a circus tent and saw standing up a man dressed in red, black and white with a tall hat and a big smile.

-Excuse me sir, could you free me from this bubble? – asked the little frog politely.

-But, what do we have here? A little frog in a bubble? Look, little frog, I'm going to free you but in return you have to stay here and work for me in my circus.

-But I have to go back to my swamp.

"Well then I shall not let you out," said the lord, and walked away past a giant elephant tied to a thin rope that would only hold a baby elephant.

-Watch out! - The little toad shouted thinking that the giant would break the rope to free himself and crush his jailer.

-Don't you worry; this elephant was born here and was tied to this rope since it was a baby. He tried to free himself so many times without success that he no longer thinks of being able to break the rope, even now that he has grown up. Also, if he accidentally broke it, he would just stay there waiting to be tied again, this is what happens when the young are not given any freedom when they are little, they get used to it and in the end they do not want it anymore when they can have it – the man replied and he left.

The little frog, very surprised, continued his flight. The next person he saw was a very old and poor looking man, but with an amazing smile and energy.

"Excuse me, sir, could you free me from this bubble?

-Of course - the man replied - I am a magician and as such I shall release you with magic.

And saying that, the magician began to make figures with his hands and point to the bubble, but nothing happened. Neither his gestures nor his spells did anything.

"Poor man" thought the little toad "he is already so old and so crazy that he thinks he is a magician". But just as the man was about to give up, a bolt of lightning escaped his sleeve and hit a tree that was nearby.

- Ooh, not again! I'm sorry, I'm a magician and I can do magic but I do not know how.

-You're a magician who does not know how to do magic - repeated the toad amazed.

- That's right, I can´t help you - he said and he left.

Finally the toad, almost completely desperate, didn't think he was going to come out of his bubble and return to his swamp. But then he saw a boy under a tree, with his eyes in the clouds and a sad smile.

-Excuse me sir, could you help me? I'm stuck in this bubble and I can not get out.

-Ah, little frog ... - said the boy - I wish I was in a bubble so I could escape the world and my heart that does not let me live in peace since I saw the princess.

-What princess? - asked the little frog curiously.

-In this land governs a very good but extremely protective king, who does not want to marry his daughter, the princess. If someone wants her hand, he has to fulfill 3 impossible tasks, and if he fails one, they throw him to jail.

-Tell me, what are the tasks?

-It is known by all that the future husband of the princess must be brave and be able to walk beside a giant held by no more than a thin rope. He must be powerful and make nature obey him. And he must have unique subjects that no one else has. But I, who am poor and not at all powerful or brave, will never marry the princess.

The little frog thought for a moment and said:

-Listen boy, if I help you get the princess, will you release me and return me to my swamp?

The boy jumped out of joy and without thinking for a second he caught the bubble in his hands releasing the toad.

-Tell me what I have to do - he said excitedly.

-First, we have to go to the circus.

-To the circus?

- Yes, we are going to make you a brave man, and if someone asks you, you are the prince, heir to the throne and very generous.

The determined young man walked with the little frog on his shoulder towards the circus. As soon as he got there, the master of ceremonies recognized the toad.

-Ah, it's you again! I see that someone has freed you. Who is this poor boy?

-Poor? No sir, this is the prince, heir to the throne who comes here to buy your elephant for a great reward.

-He can´t be a prince. Why is he dressed like that?

"Sir, had I left with my usual clothes they would have robbed and killed me.

"And why didn´t he come with his chariot and guards?

- Sir, today is a holiday and I didn't want to separate them from their families. Why, if I don't know how to be good to my subjects, how can I ask them for loyalty once I´m on the throne?

- Why do you want my elephant?

-It's a surprise for the kingdom, sir.

-And how are you going to pay me? Have you brought money?

"Sir, I came without a chariot and I had nothing to bring with me all the money I owe you for that elephant, because I want to give you it's weight in gold. In a couple of days I will come with 4 chariots full of gold for you.

Very satisfied with those answers and without thinking much more, the master of ceremonies handed the elephant tied to the rope to the young man. The boy did not know whether to trust himself but the toad was very convincing that the animal would not break the rope or crush him so his trembling hand took it and they left.

-Now let's go to the palace to show this to the king.

- And the other two tasks?

-He will be so amazed that his astonishment will last until tomorrow.

Said and done. They took the elephant to the king's palace and it was not difficult for them to enter, nobody dared to stop the master of giants. The princess was delighted to have such a brave admirer. And the king, amazed and terrified, had to grant the boy another day for the other two tasks.

-My king - the boy began to say the words that the toad whispered to him - tomorrow I would like you and your daughter to accompany me on a field trip so you can see how I make Mother Nature, who created us all, obeys every order I give.

Excited and curious the king and the princess accepted and the meeting was agreed. The young man had no idea how he would satisfy the king's request, but the toad reassured him.

-You will go where I tell you and you will not have to do more than lift a finger to leave everyone speechless.

In the morning, the king, the princess, the young man and a couple of guards rode in the royal chariot and departed where the young man indicated them. But he just repeated the indications given by the little toad in his ear.

-We are almost there. Princess, do you see that beautiful meadow with flowers more red and vibrant then the dawn? They are not even close to your beauty but if there is something that could make it look more like you that would be for the flowers to turn white.

- But that is impossible - the princess replied laughing.

-Only for you my princess I will make it happen - the young man repeated after the toad, inside as astonished as the princess.

When the chariot stopped, everyone got out and fixed their eyes on the boy who was nervously awaiting the instructions of the frog.

- Slowly approach the flowers and when you are close enough to barely touch them with an extended arm spread your finger to caress a petal. And while doing that, say:

"Blossoms! Blow up the red of your petals and turn white for my princess!

Again the butterflies rose in flight uncovering the actual white petals of the flowers. And still everyone's amazement lasted when they settled again making the meadow red once more.

Again, the king very astonished and terrified that he will have to marry his daughter had to grant another day to the boy for the last test.

-Little frog, - said the boy once they were alone - where will I find a subject? And if that weren't enough, one that has no equal.

-Don't worry - said the little toad - come on, I'll introduce you to someone.

They walked all afternoon and the little animal was already thinking they were lost when they saw a tree that seemed to have been struck by lightning and he knew they had arrived.

-Magician! Where are you, magician?! - He began to shut and saw the old man appear from behind a large rock that was nearby.

-Ah, little frog. I see that someone has been able to help you more than me. What can I do for you?

-I need you to be the subject of my poor friend for a day, if you do so he will make you the royal magician of the court, because he will be the future king.

But, before the man accepted the boy took the toad aside and whispered:

-But little frog, there are many kings and princes who have magicians, he would not be a subject without an equal.

-Don't worry - answered the little toad - this is a special magician, he's a magician who doesn't know how to do magic.

-In that case he's just a normal man, it wouldn´t help either.

-If he were a normal man, besides from not knowing how to do magic, he couldn't do magic either.

The young man was very confused but, since he had no reason not to believe the toad, he agreed and the 3 left to spend the night before visiting the king in his palace.

As soon as the sun's rays began to caress the horizon, the boy awakened the magician and the toad, full with excitement.

- Come on, today the king will give me his blessing to marry his daughter.

No one stopped them at the doors of the palace, this time not out of fear but admiration. Everyone wanted this incredible young man to be their future king.

-This is your last test boy - said the king - if you fail I will throw you in the dungeon for wasting my time and you will never marry my daughter.

-Don't worry my lord, here I bring my subject, the magician who can do magic but doesn't know how to - replied the boy pointing to the old man with both hands sweating with nerves. He didn't know what to expect.

The magician began to make gestures and figures with his fingers and to say indecipherable words and spells but nothing happened. With every minute the boy got more and more nervous, the king more and more furious and the princess more and more sad.

- Enough already! - The king shouted suddenly - you will not make fun of me in my palace. Guards, throw him in the dungeon.

And they were about to do so when from the hands of the magician sparks began to come with great speed. And when they touched the guards they turned them into rats. Sparks did not stop jumping from the wizard's cheerful hands and the more guards came to stop him, the more rats appeared on the marble floor. Furious the king wanted to take his daughter out of there fearing she´d get touched by a spark and out of embarrassment for being wrong and having to marry her with that poor boy. And they were about to leave when the last spark escaped the wizard's sleeve and brushed the king who fell to the ground turned in a mouse with a tiny crown.

-I'm sorry - said the magician - I'm going to take all those who have fallen and I will try to turn them into people again - and saying that he took them all in a bag and the king on his shoulder.

Meanwhile, the princess approached the boy, who was very stunned by the scene and full of fear and sadness that she would make him leave for turning his father into a mouse.

-You, you fulfilled all three tasks. And although it is true that you made a disaster in my palace, I have faith that the magician will give back to my father his man's body. Until then you will be the king and I your queen.

The boy could not believe his ears, and he would have liked to celebrate the wedding that day but he still had one last thing to do. He went outside and pulled out the toad from where he was.

-Thank you so much little frog, you have helped me a lot. Now I have to take you back to your swamp. But, do you really not want to stay with me in the palace? I promise to give you everything you want, because everything I ever wanted you have given to me.

- Thanks but, I want to go home now. And you can always come to visit me in my swamp - the toad answered and they left.

Meanwhile, in the garden a rat had escaped from the magician's bag and running in front of the circus elephant scared him so much that he ran and finally broke the rope.