A long time ago, in a faraway kingdom, a wise king and queen had three sons. They were all strong, smart, and brave. The youngest son’s name was Ivan.

One day, the king called his sons together. “It’s time for you to find someone special to marry,” he said. “Each of you must take an arrow, shoot it into the air, and wherever it lands, you will find your future partner.”

The oldest prince’s arrow landed in the yard of a rich nobleman’s home. The second prince’s arrow landed on the porch of a kind merchant’s house. But when Ivan shot his arrow, it flew far away and landed in a muddy swamp—right next to a small, croaking frog.

Ivan returned to the castle, feeling embarrassed. “How can I marry a frog?” he asked.

But the king said, “This is your path, Ivan. Give it a chance.”

So, the three brothers were married. The oldest married the nobleman’s daughter, the second married the merchant’s daughter, and Ivan, following his father’s wishes, married the little frog.

Later, the king gave each couple a task. “Tomorrow,” he said, “your wives must each bake a loaf of bread. I will judge whose bread is the finest.”

Ivan went home looking worried.

“Dear Ivan, why are you upset?” asked the frog kindly.

“The king wants you to bake a loaf of bread by tomorrow,” Ivan said with a sigh.

“Don’t worry,” said the frog. “Get some rest. Everything will be fine.”

That night, while Ivan slept, the frog secretly became Vassilissa—a beautiful young woman under a magical spell. She called her helpers and baked a perfect loaf of bread, soft inside and beautifully decorated with golden designs.

In the morning, Ivan found the bread ready and took it to the castle. The king was amazed. Ivan’s wife had made the finest bread of all.

But the king wasn’t finished. “Now,” he said, “your wives must each weave a beautiful rug by tomorrow.”

Ivan returned home, even more worried.

“Dear Ivan, why so gloomy?” the frog asked.

“The king now wants you to weave a rug,” Ivan said.

“Don’t worry,” the frog replied. “Get some sleep. Everything will be fine.”

Again, while Ivan slept, the frog became Vassilissa. She and her helpers wove a beautiful rug with golden threads that sparkled like the stars.

The next morning, the rug was ready. Ivan brought it to the castle, and the king was delighted. Ivan’s wife had made the most beautiful rug once again.

Finally, the king gave a new order. “Tomorrow, bring your wives to the castle for a grand celebration.”

Ivan was more upset than ever.

“How can I bring you to the castle?” he asked the frog. “Everyone will laugh.”

“Don’t worry,” said the frog. “You go first. I will follow.”

At the party, the older brothers arrived proudly with their wives. Everyone waited to see Ivan’s mysterious wife.

Suddenly, there was a great noise outside. Ivan smiled and said, “That’s my wife arriving.”

A golden carriage pulled by white horses came to the castle. Out stepped Vassilissa, so beautiful and graceful that everyone gasped in amazement. Ivan happily led her into the hall.

At the celebration, Vassilissa charmed everyone. When she danced, she waved her sleeves, and a beautiful lake appeared in the middle of the room. Then she waved again, and elegant swans floated across the water.

The king was so impressed that he told Ivan he would someday rule the kingdom.

Later, Vassilissa explained everything to Ivan. “I was placed under a magic spell and could only be free when someone truly accepted me as I was, without trying to change me. Your kindness and patience broke the spell.”

Ivan smiled, understanding at last.

From that day on, Ivan and Vassilissa lived happily together, ruling the kingdom with wisdom, kindness, and joy.

And whenever Ivan thought about how they first met, he remembered the important lesson: Sometimes, true beauty and greatness are found where you least expect them.

_{“The Frog Princess” by Nina. D Smith © 2025. Retelling of THE TSAREVNA FROG from Folktales from the Russian by Verra Xenophontovna Kalamatiano de Blumenthal originally published in 1903.}