How did a frog get to be associated with a prince? The story "The Frog Prince" or "The Frog King, or the Iron Henry" is a Brothers Grimm story, and the first in their collection. It dates from 1810. Wikipedia says that the Grimms treasured this tale, and it has been postulated that part of it may extend back to Roman times.
It is also postulated that the particular line in the story is a jab at the emperor Nero who was often mockingly compared to a frog. That seems mild compared to Nero's vices - his rule is associated with tyranny and extravagance, he was considered compulsive and corrupt, he murdered his mother. He's the one who allowed Rome to burn. And one article claimed: He was known to play the part of a bride in mock weddings.
In the original Grimm version of the story, the frog's spell was broken when the princess threw it against the wall, while in modern versions the transformation is triggered by the princess kissing the frog. In between, the frog was transformed after spending the night on the princess' pillow. Or 3 nights, depending on versions.
Here's the Iron Henry subplot: The frog prince also has a loyal servant named Henry (or Harry) who had three iron bands affixed around his heart to prevent it from breaking in his sadness over his master's curse. When the frog prince transforms into his human form Henry's overwhelming happiness causes all three bands to break, freeing his heart from its bonds.
And of course, here's the ending: "... they lived happily a great many years."
I went looking for frog and princess jokes, but they are creepy. This is an amusing one.
Why did the frog say meow? He was learning a foreign language.
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