The Enchanted Frog

Once upon a time there was a squatter, as many are; he had three sons, but his wife was long dead. When saw the two eldest boys having come of age, they went one day before their father, and begged leave to move away from home and take wives. The grounder answered: »it is not proper to see you after marriage, before J first try your luck in the world. I would like to know who can serve himself the nearest tablecloth, to spread on the table for Christmas Eve.» This proposal the brothers liked quite well, and they were going out into the world, and see who could earn the nearest canvas. But at parting gave The crofter gave them three plates each, and said it would be like one tar money, until they were able to get some service.
When the two eldest sons were now about to move away from home, they also left the little smallest army before his father, and was asked leave to go out and try their luck. The crofter would not obey this, but answered: »yes, you poor little one! you must mean that someone wants you in service. It's better you sit at home in the fireplace mine, there you have yours right place." But the boy was insistent, and said: "Father! let me follow with. No one knows how luck will turn. Maybe I'm doing well in the world, yet I am small and inferior to my brothers. When the old man heard this, he thought to himself: "well, it might be so good to get rid of him." for some time. Here at home he does no good, and he will come again before the forest turns green.” Heren was thus given leave to follow his brothers, and received from his father three plates, as a penny during the journey.
The Torpare sons then set out, and wandered all day through. When it was getting towards the evening, they came to a beer cabin that was lying next to the road, and in the cabin were gathered a large crowd of wanderers and other guests. Then the two eldest brothers sat down, and ate, and drank, and doubled, and made merry; but the little smallest here crawled away in a corner by himself, and did not want to be with the team. When so the brothers had done with their money, they took counsel as to what they should do continue his merry life. In such act they went to their youngest brother, and said he would give them his three plates; he could though do nothing better than pack up and go home, the sooner the better. But here did not want to comply with their request. Then the brothers took hold of him, attacked him with stabs and blows, took his money, and gave chase him out of the hostel. Then they sat down, and ate, and drank, which adds But the poor boy escaped into the dark night, and didn't know where he was going. He now trod many wild paths, until he couldn't go any further. Then he sat down on a tuft, and wept bitterly, until he fell asleep from weariness.
Early in the morning, before the lark sang, the army woke up and started again his journey. He now wandered over mountains and deep valleys, and did not ask however it happened, only he got away from his brothers. When he so wandered both long and well, he finally found a green path that led to a farm; but the farm was so large that it seemed impossible to him be something other than a king's farm. The boy did not take long to come to his senses, but entered, and came into many beautiful rooms, one more magnificent than that Other; but no living thing appeared. If he had walked after a long while, out of hall and in hall, out of mak and in mak, he finally came to a room, which was even more expensive than any of the others. But at the front of the high seat sat a frog; she was blacker than that blackest earth, and so rude to look, that the army could scarcely turn his eyes to her. The frog asked who it was that came, and what he had business. Heren answered, as the truth was: »I am a poor man torpareson, who sent me out into the world to seek me some service.» Then spoke up the toe: »You don't feel like cleaning yourself up with me, do you? I now needs a journeyman who ages best.» The boy agreed to this, and said that he wanted to serve her. Tåssan mälte: »welcome then! If you if you are faithful to me, it will be your happiness.» They now got along well, and the army assured that fidelity would not be lacking, only his food mother did not demand more than he was able to accomplish.
After this was ordered, the heron and the frog went down into the garden, which lay outside the house, and came to a large bush, of a kind which the boy never seen before. Then the frog said: »this will be yours task, that you should cut a piece of this bush, every day the sun is shining the sky. You must do it both Sunday and Monday, as well as Christmas Day, as Midsummer Day; but you must not cut several quinces, but only one only." The boy promised in allo to comply with her request. The paw brought him now to a chamber in a high loft, and said: »Here you shall continue live and stay. On this table you will always find food and drink, when you want to eat. This bed shall be made when you feel like resting, and you own it in all your good liberty. Only be faithful in what is incumbent upon you.» So After talking, they parted, and the frog jumped on his way. But the boy took his knife, went down into the garden, and cut a piece of the bush; and so was he free for that day. The second morning he did the same; likewise the third, and so on, all year round. He now had good days up in the king's court, and had an abundance of all that he could desire; but still the time was made long for him, for day passed and day came, and never neither did he see or hear any human being.
Now when the year was at an end, and the man had cut the last twig from the bush, came the little frog hopping to him, thanking him for his faithfulness service, and asked what salary he wanted. The boy replied that he made little reason for any salary, but wanted to be satisfied with what was his mother-in-law intended to give him away. Then the frog spoke: »I know what salary you want most. Your brothers are out to serve themselves tablecloths, to to spread on your father's table on Christmas Eve. Here I want to give you one cloth, whose husband they will hardly learn to find, even if they search through twelve kingdoms.» With these words she gave the journeyman a tablecloth; but the clothes was whiter than snow, and so near, that no one had ever seen its like. Then the boy was overjoyed, thanked with many court whispers words for the gift, then took leave of his food mother, and got ready to with great joy of heart return home to his father.
Heren now began his journey, and wandered the whole day through without meet someone When it became dark in the evening, he saw a light, and went there to find a place to stay for the night. He recognized now the same inn from which he was separated from his brothers, and to which he arrived forward, look, then sat the crofter-svenners in there, between bowls and mugs, and ate, and drank, and made merry. Like now here not long could remember any injustice, he was glad to see his brothers, and went forward and greeted them with great love. He then spoke, and asked how they had been since they last saw each other, and if they managed to earn himself some cloth, to spread on his father's Christmas table. The brothers chased here, and said that everything went well in their hands. They then brought forward each his cloth; but the tablecloths were both worn and tattered. Then the lord said: »wait, will J get to see something completely different.» He then spread the canvas which he got from the frog, and all the guests in the inn did not return to marvel at the neighboring weaving. But the crofters could ill suffer, that their younger brother possessed such preciousness. They therefore took by force from him the beautiful cloth, and gave away his old table-cloths instead. After that, all three brothers wandered home to their father. But when Christmas eve came, and the journeymen spread their cloth on the table, the old man became highly delighted, and could not praise their happiness enough. The Torpare journeymen now began to rosy himself, and talked far and wide about all great things which they performed. But the little smallest heren was quiet and spoke little. He was also neither heard nor believed, whatever he might tell.
After the three brothers sat at home over Christmas, they went again one day before his father, and was asked leave to go away and take wives. But the old man answered as before: "It's not fair to see you again." marriage, until J somewhat further tested your happiness in the world. It shines let me see who can earn the most beautiful drinking cup to put on the Christmas Eve table» This proposal pleased the brothers quite well, and they would so out into the world and try to see who could deserve the fairest the drinking vessel. But at parting the old man gave them three plates each, and said it would be like a penny until they could get it self service
When the crofter's two eldest sons were about to move away from home, went the little smallest army before his father, and was asked leave, that also get to go out into the world and try your luck. The old man would not be obeyed to this, but answered: »yes, you poor little one! you will probably think it is someone who wants you in service. You better sit and dig in the fireplace mine, there you have your rightful place.» But the boy was a lot insistently, and said: »Father! let me come along. No one can know how happiness turns. Unfortunately, I'm doing well in the world, even though I'm small and lesser than my brothers.” When the old man heard such things, he thought to himself himself: »yes, it might be good to get rid of him for a while. He will probably come again before the forest is in leaf." Heren was then given leave to follow ate his brothers, and received from his father three plates, like a penny during the trip.
The Torpare sons then set out, and wandered all day through. When it was getting towards the evening, they came to the beer-shack that was lying next to the road, and in the cabin were gathered a large crowd of wanderers and other guests. Then the two eldest brothers sat down, and ate, and drank, and doubled, and made merry in every way; but the smallest the boy crawled away in a corner by himself, and did not want to join in the team. When the brothers had disposed of all their money, they took counsel together, how they would continue their merry life for a while longer. IN thus they went to their youngest brother, and said that he would give them his three plates, yet he could do no better than to get ready at home, the sooner the better. But the army would not comply their request. Then the brothers seized him, accepted his money, and chased him with blows and blows out of the inn. Then they set sat down, and ate, and drank, and behaved as if they had joined. But it the poor boy fled into the coaling darkness, and did not know where he was took the road. He now trod many wild paths, until he could not walk longer. Then he sat down on a tuft, and wept bitterly, until the end until he fell asleep from fatigue.
Early in the morning, before the rooster crowed, the heron awoke from his sleep, and began to travel again over mountains and valleys. When he had vanked both long and well, he finally found a green path, and the green path led up to the farm I have just mentioned. By heren now felt again in the king's court, he was exceedingly happy, and did not come to his senses long, but boldly went in and stood for his old food mother, there she sat in the high seat. When the frog noticed him, she replied kindly at his greeting, and inquired after his errand. Heren spoke: »I have come here to offer you my service, if you need it.» Tåssan said: "Then be welcome to me!" for I now need a journeyman which ages best. If you will serve me faithfully, your wages shall not be call." Heren assured that fidelity would not be lacking, if she else did not demand more than he was capable of. The frog then took out a bundle »efsingar» (short threads), handed them to the Hungarian friend, and said: »this shall become your task, that you shall tie a thread about each qvist of the bush, which you cut last year. But you must tie an efsing for each day sun is in the sky, and you shall do it as well Sunday, as Monday, both Christmas Day and Midsummer Day. But you must not tie more threads, but only one.” Heren promised to do as she had commanded. Then the frog led him to a chamber in the high loft, and said: "Here will you continue to live and stay. On this table you will always find food and drink, when you want to eat, this bed shall be made, when you shine rest, and you own in all your good freedom. Just be faithful in that is yours.” Thus spoken they parted, and the frog jumped his trip. But the boy took an efsing, went down into the garden and tied one of the gems he had cut the previous year, and thus he was free for it the day. The second morning he did likewise, likewise the third, and so on all year round. He now lived in all sorts of ease and abundance; but the time was made long for him, for the days spun one after the other the other, without seeing or hearing any living creature.
When now the year was at an end, and heren tied the last efsing about it last question, the little frog came hopping to him again, thanked him for his faithful service, and asked what salary he desired. The boy answered that he had made little reason for any salary, but was willing to be satisfied with what his foster mother intended to give him. Then the frog said: "Well, I know." whatever salary you wish for forever. Your brothers are away serving himself a drinking cup, to set on your father's table on Christmas Eve. But here I want to give you a cup, and learn that they will hardly get its husband.» With these words she gave the journeyman a drinking-vessel; but the cup was empty silver, and gilt without and within; thirteen masters had then sat his master-stamps, and the work was so strange that its like no other was to be found, if one also searched over twelve kingdoms. Heren thanked for the precious gift, as it might well be worth. Then he took a court-whispered farewell from his mother-in-law, and prepared himself with a great heart joy to return home.
He wandered like that all day long, and came back again in the evening the beer cabin, about which I have already told. Now the here had admittedly beware of passing by; but there fell fighting elves, so he could not come some other way, and besides, he probably had to look around household goods overnight. When he entered the inn, behold, then sat the squatters in there, between the bowl and the wall, just like when he last was separated from them. As now heren could not long remember any injustice, he was well pleased to see his brothers, and went forward, and saluted them with great love. Then he started asking how they were doing after their divorce, and if they managed to earn themselves a drinking cup to put on his father's Christmas table. The journeymen rushed thither, and said that everything went well in their hands. They now showed each their drinking-vessel; but the vessels were both old and small in every way. Then the knight said: "Wait! should J look at something else.» He then took out his drinking cup, which he got from the little frog; and no one wonders if all the guests in The beer house thought it was a very tasty piece. But the crofter sons could not suffer that their brother possessed such preciousness, but said: »it doesn't suit you, you wretch! has such a treasure. You should give to us, who are both older and better than you.» Thus they took away here his beautiful goblet, and gave them their small drinking vessel instead. Because the boy now well understood »that it is not good to mess with it strong», he must be satisfied as it was. The brothers then wandered home to his father, and one can well know what joy there was when the old man saw the delicious drink cup on his Christmas table. The two oldest journeymen now got the word, and began to praise himself and his great works. But it little ministe heren was sad, and said little. It was also not worth it else, because he was neither heard nor believed when he said anything.
After the three brothers sat with the crofter over Christmas, they both left elder one day before his father, and was asked leave to draw away and fasten themselves wives. The old man willingly agreed to this, because he thought that his sons were both adults and well tried in everything. He said: »I like very few see, who brings the fairest bride to village's, when that coming on Christmas Eve.» Such a speech the brothers liked exceedingly well, and they each promised to do their best. They would go out into the world and try, who could deserve the fairest bride. But at the parting the old man gave them three tins each, as a pittance during the journey.
When the crofter's two eldest sons were about to move away from home, went the little smallest army to his father, and was asked leave to follow his own brothers ate. The old man did not want to obey this, but said: "Yes, you." Poor little thing! you will probably think that someone wants you to fiance You're better off sitting at home digging in the fireplace mine. You have your rightful place there.» But the boy was undeterred, but said: "Father! let me come along. No one can know how luck will turn. Unfortunately, I am doing well in the world, although I am still small and inferior my brothers." How the journeyman put his words, the old man finally thought: "yes, it might be as well to get rid of him for a time. He is coming well again when the need arises.» Heren was now given leave to follow his brothers, and received at the parting three plates from his father, as allowance, until he could get a job.
The Torpare sons then set out, and wandered all day through. As evening drew on, they again arrived at the beer-shack which lay beside the road, and in the inn a large crowd was gathered hikers and other guests. Then the two eldest brothers started again his merry liver, and ate, and drank, and doubled; but the youngest the boy sat by himself in a corner, and did not want to be part of the team. When the brothers had consumed all their money, they took counsel together, how they would get the means to amuse themselves for a while longer. In such act they went away to his youngest brother, and said he would give them his three plates, he still couldn't do anything better than get ready at home, right the sooner the better. But the army would not comply with their request, as won't seem strange. Then the brothers took hold of him, embraced his money, and drove him himself out of the inn with blows and blows. So ordered, they sat down, and ate, and drank, and behaved well as add. But the poor boy fled into the forest, and did not think wherever the road led, only it took him away from his brothers. He now walked many wild paths, until he couldn't go any further. Then he sat down on a tuft, and wept bitterly, until he fell asleep from fatigue.
Early in the morning, before the rising sun, the army awoke from its sleep, and began his journey again over mountains and valleys. After he had wandered for a while, It occurred to him that the best thing that could happen now would be if he came to the royal court, where he had everything so well. Hardly had he thought this thought, until he again stood upon the green path, and when he saw had traveled a little way, the king's farm was right in front of him. Now became the journeyman overjoyed, and did not come to his senses for a long time, but entered boldly in the beautiful hall where his matron used to sit. When so the frog became notice him, she avoided him kindly, and inquired after his errand. The svennen retorted: »I have come to offer you my service, if you otherwise it needs.” Tåssan said: "then be welcome to me, because I needs a journeyman, as ever. If you serve me faithfully, your salary will be greater than you can now imagine.» Heren assured that fidelity did not would be lacking, if only she did not demand more than he was able to fulfill. Then the frog spoke: "Your service shall not be heavy or arduous. It shall be your task to carry up the quivers, which you have cut and tied together, and put them together into a pile on the farm. But you must carry a qvist for every day the sun is in the sky, and you must do it on Wednesday as well as Thursday, as well as Christmas Day midsummer's day, and you must not carry up several quists at once, but only one single. When the year is over, and you've worn the last straw, you should light the rice-pile on fire, and go into your chamber for a while. Gack then down, and sweep around the fire well, so that all the embers burn up. If you then notice something in the fire, you must take it out and save it.» Here promised to comply carefully with his foster-mother's request in all this. After that the frog took him up into the high loft, to a small chamber, and said: »here you shall continue to live and stay. On this table you must always find food and drink when you want to eat; this bed must always be made and ready, when you like to rest; and you own your good liberty in everything. Where only faithful in what you are told!" After this conversation they parted ate, and the frog jumped on its way. But the journeyman went down into the garden, fetched a qvist which he then cut off and tied, carried it up the plot where he was careful to prepare the fire, and thus he was free for it the day. The second morning he did the same, likewise the third, and so everything goes on all year round. Heren now had good days at the king's court, thrived, and rose to a rank Hungarian friend. But very lonely seemed to him to be there, for he neither saw nor heard any human being; and it often crossed his mind that his brothers would come home with him fiancees, while he had none.
When the year has rolled around, and heren has carried up the last qvist, and placing him with the others, he did as the frog had said, lit a fire on the rice heap, and prepared a great fire. Then he went away for a while, then came back, and round-swept the place on all sides, that the embers, big and small, burned to ashes. At he now worked as best of all, behold, there arose in the midst of the fire a most beautiful maiden; she was whiter than snow, and her hair was so fair that it spread down to the feet like a coat. By the journeyman the fair maiden beheld, he ran hastily to, and yanked her out of the fire-flame. But the young one mön fell into his arms with great joy of heart, and thanked him for saving him her. She was now the friendliest and richest king's daughter in the whole wide world the world, and had been "made" by a magic pack that created her to a naughty frog.
At the same moment there was life and movement in the whole house, and the royal court was filled with courtiers, and knights, and noble maidens, who had likewise been enchanted. All now came forward, one after the other, and saluted his queen, as well as the quick Hungarian friend who had saved them. But the king's daughter did not want to lose time, but immediately had the horses harnessed for his gilding frame, and prepared to depart. She sounded then clothe the crofter's son in silk and costly scarlet, provided him with weapons and other equipment, as a prince's son could be courted, and so the poor army was even transformed into the supreme pride ungersvenn, who ever tied sword by his side. Now that everything was in order for the journey, the king's daughter spoke up: »I can well know that your heart playing away to your brothers, who are on their way home to show their fiancees. We therefore want to travel to your father, that he also let's see what a fiancee you've earned yourself.» The svennen was at all this so to mods, as if he had fallen from the clouds; but there was no time to come to his senses, he therefore at once ascended the golden frame, and now They went with great honor and a large retinue to greet the old crofter his hut.
After they had traveled for a while, they came to the beer-shack, which was by the road. Then the Hungarian friend felt a great desire to learn about his brothers, after old habit, still stuck in there. He therefore allowed his karma to hold, and entered the inn. When he now opened the door, he became aware the crofter-sons, where they sat between the bowl and the wall, and ate and drank, and made fun of themselves. But the brothers each had their fiancée with them, af such species as one can well guess. It is said of their appearance that they were slender and painful to grow, such as "kölfve-kubbar" (tree-logs), hvitletta, like "bathhouse walls", trind-laid, like "young pigs", and yellow in the mouth-gaps, like "swallow chicks". When the journeyman had seen all this, went he hurried away, without anyone recognizing him. Then he rose up to his bride in the golden frame, and led the way forward with all he had entourage. But the guests in the beer cabin wondered a lot, what kind of thing it was the king's son, who has just passed by there.
The Hungarian friend and his beautiful bride now went away to the crofter's cabin, and arrived when it was already late in the evening. They then went in, and was asked to borrow a house overnight. The crofter answered as the truth was, that he was waiting home for his three sons and their fiancees; in addition had he had nothing but a small hut, which was ill-suited to a hostel for such distinguished people. But the king's daughter said she wanted to rule in here, and the crofter could not refuse her request. The princess now sounded prepared a grand Christmas party, and sent his little friends out in the countryside, to invite guests both near and far. When it suffered In the evening, and the guests were ready, the crofter's two eldest sons came, pulling with his fiancees, and no one wonders that the old man does not was particularly delighted with his son-wives. When they were now seated at table, asked the king's daughter, how did the crofter get so nearly a cloth, and so fag a drinking cup. "Well," said the old man, "my two oldest sons." have been out, and got them paid for their service.» Then the princess took over say: "No, your eldest sons have in no way earned either one of them." or the other. But if you want to know the truth, your youngest son did that, and here you see the husband of both cloth and cup.» With the same step the younger friend got up from the table, fell into his father's arms, and everyone could now see that the strange prince was none other than the crofter's youngest son, the little gentleman, who had been so little esteemed by his relatives. Then the old man recognized his son, and at the same time was told how everything was hour, he was greatly astonished, and would hardly believe his own eyes. But the two crofter sons had to stand with shame and frown before theirs father and all the Gilles people, and their unbelief and falsehood then came into being a rumor in the entire surrounding area.
The Hungarian friend and the friendly princess now had their wedding drink with them great lust and gammon, and there was a Christmas party, so no one saw the husband in manna memory. But when Christmas was over, the bride and groom departed home to his country again, and took the old crofter with him. And the Hungarian friend became king over the whole kingdom, and lived with his fair one queen in all good care and love. There they built and still live in this one day.