In an ancient kingdom of Sri Lanka, a wise King and gentle Queen lived in quiet sorrow, for many years had passed without the blessing of a child. Though their palace was filled with riches and honor, their hearts remained empty. One day, moved by longing, the Queen journeyed to a secluded rock-temple, a place where pilgrims prayed for miracles. There, surrounded by incense and carved stone, she knelt before the gods and vowed, “If I am granted a child, I will offer gifts in gratitude.”
Not long after this sacred promise, her wish was fulfilled. The Queen conceived, and at the end of ten months she gave birth, not to a human child, but to a small Frog.
The King recoiled in shock.
“Throw it away!” he commanded.
But the Queen drew the tiny creature close and said, “No. This is my child.”
And so the Frog was raised with tenderness. As the years passed, he grew into a spirited young frog with the heart and thoughtfulness of a child who knew he was loved deeply despite his form.
One day, the Frog approached the Queen.
“Mother,” he said, “please cook a rice-cake for me.”
“Why, my son?”
“I am going to watch the matches where they are shooting.”
The Queen grew troubled. How could a frog safely attend a public shooting event?
“If something happens to him,” she thought, “what will become of me?”
She urged, “Do not go.”
But the Frog insisted gently, “I must go.”
With reluctant love, the Queen prepared the rice-cake. The Frog carried it to the race-course and ate as he watched the gathering crowd.
That day, the King’s own son—the Prince of the land, arrived to join the competition. When the Frog saw him, he hopped near and said,
“Big elder brother, take me with you.”
The Prince frowned. “How shall I take a thing like thee?”
“If you will not take me,” the Frog warned, “I shall cry.”
Unwilling to cause a scene, the Prince scooped him up. The Frog nestled into the Prince’s waistcloth, content.
Together they traveled with the shooting party. Along the way, a Deity manifested on the road, a radiant presence that caused the Prince’s attendants to bow in reverence. But the Prince himself did not feel inclined to worship.
The Frog whispered urgently, “Big elder brother, get down and worship.”
Annoyed at being corrected by a frog, the Prince seized him and hurled him angrily to the ground.
In that very instant, the Frog transformed. Before their astonished eyes, where the frog had landed now stood a young man—an extraordinarily handsome Prince, resplendent beyond compare.
The Prince who had thrown him down stared in shock.
“By my foolishness,” he thought, “I have done wrong.”
The newly revealed Handsome Prince spoke gently:
“Let us go together.”
Side by side, the two Princes walked to the royal palace. The King of the land, seeing the unfamiliar youth, asked his son,
“Who is this?”
The Prince replied, “Father, he is the son of the King of such-and-such a country.”
“Good,” the King said, assigning him a chamber within the palace.
News of the stranger’s beauty spread quickly. The King’s daughter, curious, urged her father,
“Invite that Prince to our house.”
The King agreed and summoned him.
When the Princess saw the Handsome Prince, her heart stirred. “He is so splendid,” she thought. “I must give him my mind.”
She went to him openly and asked, “Will you take me?”
“Yes,” he replied.
The Princess informed her father, “I wish to marry that Prince.”
Again the King answered, “It is good.”
But the Handsome Prince said, “I will not take her now. I must return to my country and tell my parents.”
The King consented. The Handsome Prince then called upon his elder-brother friend, the Prince who had first carried him, and together they journeyed to his homeland. When they arrived, the Handsome Prince’s parents were overjoyed, and in celebration of his return, they gave generous alms.
“I must go to such-and-such a city to marry the Princess,” he told them.
His parents blessed the union and sent him forth.
Once more, the two Princes traveled back to the Princess’s kingdom. They sent word of their arrival, and the King responded, “It is good.” He gave his daughter to the Handsome Prince without hesitation.
The two Princes escorted the Princess back to the city of the Handsome Prince. There, upon seeing their son and his bride, the King and Queen rejoiced. They offered great alms and held a magnificent festival for seven days. Music filled the palace; lamps burned through the night; dancers and drummers celebrated the union. The Handsome Prince and his Princess began their life together in happiness and honor.
Moral of the Story
True worth lies hidden beneath outer appearances. Patience, compassion, and humility allow us to recognize greatness where others fail to see it.
Knowledge Check
1. Who is the main character of “The Frog Prince” in the Sinhalese folktale?
The main character is a Frog who later reveals himself to be a handsome Prince.
2. What cultural values does the story highlight?
The tale emphasizes compassion, humility, and the belief that divine blessings may come in unexpected forms.
3. Why does the Frog visit the shooting match?
He goes out of curiosity and destiny, which leads him to meet the Prince who becomes his companion.
4. What triggers the Frog’s transformation?
He transforms into a handsome Prince after being thrown to the ground in anger.
5. What is the central lesson of this Sri Lankan folktale?
The story teaches that appearances can be deceiving and that inner virtue is more important than outward form.
6. Where does this folktale originate?
It comes from Sinhalese folklore in Sri Lanka.
Source: Adapted from the Sinhalese folktale “The Frog Prince,” Village Folk-Tales of Ceylon, Vol. I, collected by H. Parker (1910), London: Luzac & Co.
Cultural Origin: Sri Lanka (Sinhalese folklore)
