Poems by Margie Fox
THE FROG PRINCE
A handsome prince became bewitched,
His body into a frog was switched.
He dwelt for years in the palace pool
Under a clump of weeds in the cool.
One day a beautiful Princess came
With a golden ball she played a game.
Suddenly she gave a screech,
The ball had bounced out of reach
Into the middle of the water.
'Oh, I can't swim', cried the King's daughter.
'I will fetch it for you,' said the frog.
'If you grant me a wish I will jump off this log,
And when I bring the ball to you, you will kiss me for my due.'
'Oh yes please froggie dear,'
She answered in accents clear.
The frog jumped in with scarce a splash
And brought the orb out in a flash.
He dropped it neatly at her feet,
Asked for her promise to complete.
The Princess shuddered and did wince,
She didn't know he was a Prince.
She stepped back in consternation,
Didn't fancy the oscillation.
Just then her ugly sister came,
Wanted to join in the game.
Looking down she saw the frog
Sitting sadly on a log.
'Oh what a lovely frog,' said she,
'I think I'll take him home with me.'
She picked him up before he could slip
Between her fingers and she kissed him on the lip.
The frog it changed before their eyes,
And before they could get over their surprise
Stood before them a Prince once more,
As tall and handsome as before.
He married one, which, can you guess,
Yes, he married the plain Princess.
But soon his wedlock he did rue,
Sadly she turned into a nagging shrew.
Now he wished and wished, but all in vain,
That he could be a frog again.
by Margie Fox