Once upon a time, in a vast and prosperous kingdom, there lived a wise and just king with seven sons. The king, desiring the best for his children, decided it was time for them to marry. To ensure each son found a worthy bride, he organized a competition. Each prince was given a bow and an arrow with the instruction that the location where their arrow lands would determine the region from which their bride would come.
The six eldest sons, skilled in archery, all shot their arrows far and wide; each landing in a different part of the kingdom. As a result, they found beautiful maidens from those regions to marry. However, the youngest prince, who was not adept at archery, struggled with his shot. His arrow flew a short distance and struck an old clay pot. When the pot was examined, they found a female frog inside.
The king, true to his word, declared that the youngest prince must marry the frog. Despite his initial reluctance, the prince obeyed his father’s command and married the frog.
As time passed, the king grew older and decided it was time to choose his successor. He announced another competition, this time among the wives of his seven sons. The winner’s husband would inherit the throne. The first challenge was to sew the most beautiful robe. The youngest prince, disheartened, shared his woes with his frog wife. The frog, however, was wise and resourceful. She summoned her friends and together they crafted a robe so magnificent that it won the first competition.
The second challenge was to create the finest crown. Once again, the frog called upon her friends. They fashioned a crown that outshone all others securing another victory for the youngest prince.
The other princes and their wives grew increasingly jealous but remained confident that the final competition, which would judge beauty, would be their chance to win. After all, they reasoned, how could a frog possibly be the most beautiful?
The night before the final competition, the youngest prince confided in the frog lamenting their impending loss. The frog then revealed a secret to him: a spell had been cast upon her by a wicked magician thereby turning her into a frog. The only way to break the spell was for a prince to remove a nail from her head. The prince, filled with hope, did as she instructed. Instantly, the frog transformed into a stunningly beautiful princess.
The next day, as the final competition commenced, everyone was astonished to see the youngest prince accompanied by the breathtaking princess. When he explained the truth to the king and the court, they were overjoyed.
The youngest prince and his wife were declared the winners of the final competition. The king, pleased with the outcome, named his youngest son the new king. The kingdom celebrated the wisdom, bravery, and true love that had brought about such a remarkable transformation. And so, the youngest prince and his princess ruled wisely and happily ever after.
Recorded in Domeli, Punjab, by Mahin Zia.
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