Once upon a time, in a kingdom covered in sparkling dew, lived a little prince named Leo. Leo loved playing in the palace gardens, but he didn’t always share his toys. One sunny afternoon, he was playing with his golden ball near the lily pond when *plop!* It bounced right into the water!
Leo was very upset. He tried to reach it, but the pond was too deep. Suddenly, a little green frog popped his head out of the water. “I can get your ball for you, Prince Leo,” croaked the frog. “But… you must promise to let me eat with you and sleep in your bed.”
Leo thought it was a silly request. A frog in the palace? But he really wanted his golden ball back. “Okay, okay, I promise!” he said quickly. The frog dove into the pond and, with a little splash, returned with the golden ball. Leo grabbed it and started to run back to the palace.
“Wait!” called the frog. “You promised!” Leo hesitated. He didn’t want a frog for a friend, let alone a dinner companion! He ran inside and tried to ignore the little frog, hoping he would go away. But the frog followed him, hopping and croaking at the palace doors.
The King, Leo’s father, saw how upset Leo was. “A promise is a promise, Leo,” he said gently. “You must keep your word.” Leo sighed and sadly invited the frog to dinner. He gave the frog a tiny plate and a tiny chair. It was very strange!
After dinner, Leo reluctantly let the frog sleep near his bed. He closed his eyes, wishing the frog would disappear. But as he drifted off to sleep, he heard a strange shimmering sound. When he opened his eyes, he wasn’t looking at a frog anymore!
Standing before him was a handsome young prince! The prince explained that a wicked witch had turned him into a frog, and only a kind heart and a kept promise could break the spell. Leo was amazed! He and the prince became the best of friends, and Leo learned that true friendship isn’t about how someone looks, but about kindness and keeping your word.
From that day on, Prince Leo always remembered his promise to the frog. He shared his toys, he was kind to everyone, and he always, *always* kept his word. And that, little one, is how a promise and a kind heart turned a frog into a prince and made a little prince even kinder.