The Frog Princess

Chapter 1: Prince in trouble

Prince Pinaki was furious. "I won't marry her, Mommy," he said. "She's smelly and smug and slimier than a frog."

"You don't have to marry Princess Harinaksa now, darling," said his father. "You can wait until you're grown up.

"I never want to marry her," said Pinaki. "I'd rather eat my toenails."

"Pinaki!" shouted his mother. "Don't be so rude! You've been pampered by your father, spoiled by your brothers... it's time you did as I say."

"Don't be mean to Pinaki, Mama," cried his brothers. "And Harinaksa has such beautiful big teeth," wailed Pinaki.

"It's because I'm the youngest," Pinaki went on, sadly. "My brothers got all the best princesses. I hate being the youngest."

"That's enough!" said the Queen. "Princess Harinaksa is coming to dinner tonight and you must be polite to her. She is your future wife, after all."

"I'll find another princess to marry!" Pinaki declared.

"You can have until tomorrow morning," said the Queen. "But you'll never find a princess in that time."

"Just you wait," said Pinaki. He picked up his golden ball and stomped into the garden.