The Frog Prince

このストーリーについて

The Frog Prince, called The Frog King, or Iron Henry, is the very first story in the Brothers Grimm's Children's and Household Tales of 1812. This bedtime version keeps the golden ball, the well, the frog at the dinner table and faithful Henry's iron bands. In the Grimms' story the princess loses her temper and throws the frog against the wall, and that is what breaks the spell; here she keeps her promise instead, so nobody gets thrown.

読み聞かせのコツ

• Knock on the bed frame when the frog knocks at the door.
• Give the frog a croaky voice and let your child do the ribbits.
• Ask your child about a promise they kept, even when it was hard.

よくある質問

What is the moral of The Frog Prince?

Keep your promises, even ones you made without thinking. As the king says, someone who helped you when you needed it deserves to be treated kindly afterwards.

Does the princess kiss the frog in the original story?

No. In the Brothers Grimm's 1812 version she throws the frog against the wall in a temper, and that breaks the witch's spell. The kiss comes from later retellings.

Who is Iron Henry in The Frog Prince?

Henry is the prince's faithful servant, who had three iron bands put round his heart so it would not break with sorrow. The bands snap off one by one when his master is free, which is why the Grimms called the tale The Frog King, or Iron Henry.