I woke the next morning determined I would find that despicable frog. I elbowed my horse to wake it, but it was of little use. I glared scornfully at it. Well I'll have better luck finding him myself anyway. I splashed some water onto my face to help waken my senses. After giving my so-called steed another contemptuous look, I got up to start my search.
A few minutes later, after much trudging and shoving of branches, I found myself in the middle of thick green foliage—which is far from significant because that is how all of the forest is. I am notlost, I am simply taking a detour. I turned in a full circle. Everything looked the same. Stupid witch. I glared at the trunk nearest me, trying to decide which direction would be best from here. As I was carefully contemplating a new route I heard an unmistakable ribbet.
"Ribbet." I looked down. There sat the frog. I told you I wasn't lost.
"Ah, I have good news for you frog, I have decided that you can help me." I said with dignity. Hmm. My speech today hasn't been altered by the witch yet. I was beginning to feel a little suspicious at this realization. I was no fool, I knew the curse was not yet broken. I glared at the frog and repeated myself.
"Did you not hear me? I said that you can help me." The insolent reptile blinked and said ribbet.
"Oh I see. So now you are just going to ignore me and pretend you can't talk huh? I mean I know you're a dumb animal but really! Aren't we being a little immature here?" I said heatedly. "Look who the smart royal is now, huh?" I wasn't sure how that related but it sounded good and snarky.
"Oh. And I guess that would be you would it?" I expected the voice to come from in front of me but alas it came from behind. I turned around. It was the frog. But not the one I was just talking to. Which means...My face reddened. How dare that witch humiliate me! The talking frog snickered—how that is possible I'm not quite sure.
"Yes, yes. I can see you are in desperate need when you start pouring out your troubles to poor animals that do not understand a word you are saying. But it is really quite unfair when you begin venting on the poor creatures and letting your anger lash out at them." While he spoke, all I thought of was a nice large predator coming with an open mouth and a hungry appetite for a frog…
"However if you apologize to the victim of your anger I will consider allowing you to kiss me." The frog said proudly, if it is possible for a frog to be proud. I looked at the other frog in disgust.
"Yeah. Like that's going to happen."
"Ah , but it is." I snorted but, thanks to a certain cloth-headed witch, I could not think of what else to do. Thus, I turned to the other frog and muttered something that sounded like it could pass for an apology. Thankfully, neither frog didn't really seem to care about the sincerity of my apology and were both content with responding ribbet of the so-called victim.
"Well, now that you have voiced your regrets I will allow you to kiss me, but only after we make you appear to be a princess. Your bird-brain fits the part well, and the whole talking-to-creatures-who-can't-talk-back fits quite nicely with the stereotype that are given royalty—with the exclusion of me of course. As far as your looks…oy. People believe princesses to be dumb and beautiful—and while you certainly have the former going for you we must work on the latter. At the moment you look like a mop caught in a hurricane. Ah it's a pity not all can have the good lucks that people like I have. But with my brains we will succeed. I never fail. Even in your desperate case. It will, however, take time, money, and much better clothes. Oh. And a hairbrush. Definitely a hairbrush."
I stared at the frog in disbelief, rage, malice, and emotions quickly spinning out of control. What an arrogant, jealous little prick! How dare he insult my intelligence (which is clearly far above his) and my appearance (which is impossible to criticize this is me remember)? And to talk as if I was privileged to receive such insults! He was as bad as that witch! The only difference was his numerous brown spots were pimples. Pimples? I didn't know frogs had pimples…hm. What if the frog wasn't a frog but in fact a toad? No one (not even that bothersome witch) would turn a prince into a toad, that just went against tradition, and witches weren't ones to fool with tradition. What if I were to go along with this infuriating reptiles plan, reap the benefits from it—and it would backfire on him!
I allowed myself a twisted smile. Ah, what a glorious mind I have! Even with this stupidity curse my wits are still about me. Energy began to revive my limbs as I thought of my brilliant plan, meanwhile the reptile continued it's babbling.
"I'd say, overall, you need a complete makeover. Now princess are you ready to start?"
My smile widened. Oh, if only he knew.