Golden Gratitude: The Grimm Brothers’ Fairy Tale, ‘The Frog-King’

The frog eats a meal with the princess and her family, in an 1874 illustration from "The Frog Prince" by Walter Crane. Public Domain

In their fairy tale “The Frog-King,” Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm tell of a young princess who needs help, but who judges others on their outward appearances, rather than being grateful for the help they offer. This princess will soon learn that a true, kind heart can lie beneath a repulsive exterior.

The Golden Ball

The king’s youngest daughter  is the most beautiful among her sisters. One of her favorite things to do, especially in hot weather, is to go into the nearby forest and spend time near the well. If she ever gets bored, she plays with her golden ball.

Each time she throws it up in the air, she watches the golden ball rise and then fall. She finds so much satisfaction in throwing and catching it.

However, one day while she plays with her favorite plaything, she tosses the ball into the well. The ball splashes in the water and sinks to the bottom of the deep well. At such a depth, the ball is lost.

The youngest princess immediately starts crying. Her cries grow louder as she laments the loss of her favorite toy.

The talking frog retrieves the princess's precious toy, in this 1919 illustration from "The Frog Prince," by Clara Miller Burd. Public Domain

Yet, amid her cries, she hears a kind voice say: “What ails you, King’s daughter? You weep so that even a stone would show pity.” The princess looks up to see a frog peering out of the water at her.

After she relates her sad tale to the frog, the frog assures her that he can get her ball from the bottom of the well. Overjoyed at such news, the princess promises to give the frog anything he wants. In response, the frog asks: “If you will love me and let me be your companion and play-fellow ... I will go down below, and bring you your golden ball back up again.”

The princess reiterates her promise, all the while loathing the frog’s appearance. Such an ugly creature, she thinks, cannot be her companion, but belongs with the other croaking frogs.

Nevertheless, the frog believes the princess’s promises and dives down into the well. In a few moments, he resurfaces with her favorite golden ball in his mouth. The princess is elated to see her plaything again and, ignoring the frog’s pleas, she grabs her ball and heads home.

Golden Gratitude

The next day, as the princess sits at table with the king and court, she hears a knock at the door. A voice calls: “Princess, youngest princess, open the door for me.” She goes to the door, but quickly closes it and hurries back to her seat.

The frog continues to call to the princess, reminding her of her promises to him the day before. Listening to their exchange, the king asks his daughter why the frog calls to her in such a manner. The daughter explains that the frog helped her yesterday and she had promised to give him all that he wished.

Hearing this, the king scolds his daughter and demands that she uphold her promise. The youngest princess obeys her father and soon the frog is sitting at the table with her.

The cover to the 1874 edition of "The Frog Prince" by Walter Crane. Public Domain

Throughout their tale, the Grimm brothers weave the themes of gratitude and love, highlighting the power of these two virtues over prejudices. The Grimm brothers show, as Louisa May Alcott wrote in “Little Women,” that “love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride.”

Thus, love and gratitude dispel the fear and pride that prevent the observance of true beauty and worth. In doing so, they delve deeper to see the higher qualities and treasure beneath.

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