~~~~~~~~
a
beautiful, independent,

self-assured
princess

~~~~~~~~
happened
upon a frog as she sat
contemplating
ecological issues
on the
shores of an unpolluted pond
in a
verdant meadow near her castle.

~~~~~~~~
The frog
hopped into the princess' lap
and said:
"Elegant Lady,
I was once
a handsome prince,
until an
evil witch cast a spell upon me.

~~~~~~~~

One kiss
from you, however,
and I will
turn back
into the
dapper, young prince that I am

~~~~~~~~
and then,
my sweet, we can marry

~~~~~~~~

and set up
housekeeping in your castle

~~~~~~~~

with my
mother,

~~~~~~~~

where you
can prepare my meals,

~~~~~~~~

clean my
clothes, bear my children,

~~~~~~~~

and forever
feel
grateful
and happy doing so. "
~~~~~~~~
That
night,

~~~~~~~~

as the
princess dined sumptuously
~~~~~~~~
on lightly
sautéed frog legs

~~~~~~~~
seasoned in
a white wine
~~~~~~~
and onion
cream sauce,
~~~~~~~~
she
chuckled and thought to herself:
~~~~~~~~
I don't think so!

SKIP