Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess who loved to play with a golden ball. One day, while playing near the edge of a pond in the royal garden, she accidentally dropped her beloved ball into the water. The ball sank quickly, leaving her heartbroken.

As she sat by the pond, crying her eyes out, a strange voice called out to her. Looking up, she saw an ugly frog peering at her from the water. "Why do you weep so bitterly, fair princess?" asked the frog.

"Oh, noble frog," she sobbed, "I have lost my golden ball, and it is all I have left of my late mother's gifts."

The frog offered to retrieve the ball for her but demanded a reward. "If you will let me eat from your plate, drink from your cup, and sleep on your pillow, I shall dive down and fetch your ball."

Though hesitant, the princess agreed, thinking it would only be for a moment. The frog dove into the pond and soon returned with the golden ball. Overjoyed, she snatched it and ran back to the palace without giving a second thought to her promise.

However, that evening, as she sat at dinner, the frog appeared at the door. "Let me in, as you promised," croaked the frog. The king, hearing this, ordered his daughter to honor her word. Reluctantly, she opened the door, and the frog hopped onto the table.

He ate from her plate, drank from her cup, and even climbed onto her pillow before retreating to the corner for the night. The next morning, he transformed into a handsome prince, freed from an evil spell. They were married, and they lived happily ever after.

This story teaches us the importance of keeping our promises, no matter how small they may seem. Even the smallest act of kindness can lead to great rewards.

Thus ends the tale of "The Frog Prince," one of Hans Christian Andersen's timeless stories.