In a distant Russian kingdom, a wise old Tsar once ruled with justice and honour. When his three sons had grown into strong young men, the Tsar decided it was time for them to marry. To guide their destiny, he gave each a bow and arrow, declaring that wherever their arrows landed, there they would find their brides.
The eldest son drew his bow proudly and shot his arrow, which landed in the courtyard of a nobleman’s mansion. A noble’s daughter picked it up, and the Tsar smiled in approval. The second son’s arrow fell into the yard of a wealthy merchant, where a merchant’s daughter retrieved it, to everyone’s delight. But the youngest, Prince Ivan, loosed his arrow and watched as it soared far beyond the horizon until it vanished into a swamp. When he reached the marsh, he found, to his dismay, a frog clutching his arrow between her slimy little hands.
The Tsar, seeing this, said with a voice both firm and kind, “What is fated cannot be avoided, my son. You shall take the frog as your bride.” Though laughter filled the court, Prince Ivan obeyed his father’s will. He took the frog home, and together they lived quietly, though his brothers and their brides mocked them at every opportunity.
One day, the Tsar gathered his sons and said, “Let each of your wives bake me a loaf of bread. I shall see which of them is most skilled.” The elder brides giggled at the thought of Ivan’s frog-wife baking bread. But that night, when Ivan shared his sorrow, the frog leapt gracefully to her window and whispered, “Sleep, my dear husband. The morning will show what your wife can do.”
When Ivan awoke, he saw the most magnificent loaf resting upon the table, golden, fragrant, and shaped with the Tsar’s seal upon its crust. The frog had transformed into a beautiful maiden, her eyes bright as stars and her hair shining like spun gold. She returned to her frog form before dawn, and Ivan could scarcely believe what he had seen.
When the loaves were brought before the Tsar, he marvelled at the youngest’s offering. “Surely,” he said, “no mortal hand could have crafted this.” His elder daughters-in-law hung their heads in envy.
Soon after, the Tsar set a new task: “Let each wife weave me a carpet. I will see who among them is the most skilled.” The frog wept again, but at night she removed her skin and became once more the radiant maiden. She wove a carpet so fine that its threads glimmered with sunlight and moonlight together. When the Tsar beheld it, he said, “This is truly fit for a king.”
Then came the Tsar’s command for a great feast. “Let all my sons bring their wives,” he declared. Prince Ivan grew sorrowful, thinking he could not appear before the court with a frog at his side. Yet the frog only said, “Go before me. I shall come when the time is right.”
As the feast began, thunderous hoofbeats echoed outside. The doors opened, and there entered a woman so graceful and radiant that all eyes turned to her. Prince Ivan alone recognised her, his frog-wife transformed. She danced with such elegance that even the stars seemed to pause and watch.
But later that night, driven by love and longing, Ivan burned the frog-skin, believing it would free her forever. When his wife saw the flames, she wept. “Oh, Ivan, you have undone me! If only you had waited three more days, the spell would have been broken. Now I must go to the land of Koschei the Deathless. Seek me there, beyond thrice-nine lands.”
Heartbroken, Ivan set forth at once, his journey filled with hardship and peril. Along the way, he met the Grey Wolf, who became his loyal companion; the Firebird, who guided his path; and the witch Baba Yaga, who granted him wisdom and courage. Through icy forests, golden plains, and enchanted valleys he travelled, until at last he reached Koschei’s dark realm.
There he found his beloved imprisoned in a crystal palace, guarded by the immortal tyrant. A fierce battle followed, but with the help of his friends, Ivan destroyed Koschei and shattered his power forever. He freed his wife, who at last was released from her curse.
They returned home to great rejoicing. The Tsar blessed their union, and Prince Ivan and his Frog Princess lived in peace and happiness all their days, proof that love, courage, and faith can overcome even deathless magic.
Moral Lesson
True love sees beyond appearances. Wisdom, patience, and devotion are stronger than pride or mockery, and only those who endure with faith will find lasting happiness.
Knowledge Check
1. Who was the Frog Princess in her true form?
She was a beautiful maiden under an enchantment, later revealed to be Ivan’s destined bride.
2. What moral does “The Frog Princess” teach?
It teaches that true love, faith, and perseverance are stronger than outward appearances or fate.
3. Who helped Prince Ivan on his journey?
He was aided by the Firebird, the Grey Wolf, and the wise Baba Yaga.
4. Who was the main antagonist of the tale?
Koschei the Deathless, a powerful sorcerer who imprisoned the Frog Princess.
5. What was the consequence of Ivan burning the frog-skin too soon?
He broke the spell before its time, causing his wife to vanish to Koschei’s realm.
6. What is the cultural origin of this story?
It is a Russian folktale from the northern and central oral traditions.
Source: Adapted from “The Frog Princess” in Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-Lore, collected by W. R. S. Ralston (1873), based on Alexander Afanasyev’s compilation.
Cultural Origin: Russia (Northern and Central Russian oral tradition)
