I cannot run as fast
as you."
Alas! of what use was it that he croaked after her as loud as he
could. She would not listen to him, but hastened home, and soon forgot
the poor frog, who was obliged to plunge again to the bottom of his
well.
The next day, when she was sitting at dinner with the king and all the
courtiers, eating from her little gold plate, there came a sound of
something creeping up the marble staircase--splish, splash; and when
it had reached the top, it knocked at the door and cried, "Youngest
king's daughter, open to me."
She ran, wishing to see who was outside; but when she opened the door,
and there sat the frog, she flung it hastily to again, and sat down at
table, feeling very, very uncomfortable. The king saw that her heart
was beating violently, and said, "How, my child, why are you afraid?
Is a giant standing outside the door to carry you off?"
"Oh, no!" answered she, "it is no giant, but a nasty frog, who
yesterday, when I was playing in the wood near the well, fetched my
golden ball out of the water. For this I promised him he should be my
companion, but I never thought he could come out of his well. Now he
is at the door, and wants to come in."
Again, the second time there was a knock, and a voice cried:
"Youngest king's daughter,
Open to me;
Know you what yesterday
You promised me,
By the cool water?
Youngest king's daughter
Open to me.
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