Story: The Fairy Frog

Once upon a time there lived an old couple, who had a son named Haina. One day Haina, who was grown, married and on his own, received word that his parents were ill and that he should come quickly. When he arrived, Haina's father gave him instructions about what should be done after their deaths. He told Haina to mourn them for seven days, and on the eve of the seventh, to go to the marketplace and buy the first thing offered to him, regardless of the cost, as it would bring him and his family good fortune.

Within the next couple weeks, both Haina's mother and father died. They had a funeral and Haina mourned for seven days. That evening he made his way towards the marketpalce. He had scarcely walked through the entrance when a man approached him, offering to him, a silver casket. Haina asked what was in the box, however the man was unable to say. So remembering his fathers advice, Haina purchased it for one thousand gold pieces; all the gold him and his wife had left.

(The Fairy Frog)

When he got home, Haina opened the casket and out sprang a frog. His wife was very disapointed but, she gave the frog some food, and a cabinet for its home. For the next eight days the frog continued to do nothing but eat. It grew to an enormous size and eventually Haina was forced to build it a shed outside. The frog ate so much that Haina and his wife had little to eat themselves. They were forced to sell some of their things to keep the frog supplied with food and were left in a state of poverty. Eventually Haina's wife broke down in tears. Suprisingly the frog then spoke and said, "as you have been kind to me, tell me what you want and I will grant your wish." Haina declared his wish first and told the frog all he wanted was enough food so that his family would never be hungry again. "Ask and you shall recieve" croaked the frog. There was a knock on the door at that very moment, and when answered, there, on the step, was a huge basket of food. Then Haina's wife spoke and announced that her wish was to be able to have a child, as she had been trying for over a year. "Ask and you shall recieve" croaked the frog.

(Haina's daughter)

Throughout the next year the frog continued to live with Haina and his family. Haina's wife had given birth to a baby girl, and the frog continued to eat until he was bigger than a person. One day, the frog again spoke and said, "It is time for me to leave you but, to repay you for all the kindness that you have shown me, I wish to give you one more gift." Haina's family, baby and all, followed the frog into the woods and, when they got there, the frog began gathering his gifts for them. At their feet, he deposited rare herbs that cure sickness, so that the family would never suffer from a fatal disease or sickness. He also dropped a handful of precious gems and stones so that the family would never again have to live in poverty. He gave one final gift to Haina, and that was a promise. A promise to return in 30 years when his daughter was fully grown, and if she showed the same kindness, a promise to grant any wish she desired, so her parents would never have to worry about her health or happiness again.

Haina and his wife thanked the frog relentlessey, however they still didn't know who exactly they were thanking. So when the frog began to hop away, Haina asked. The frog answered, "I am the fairy son of Adam, and am gifted with the power of assumming any form. Farewell." He then shrunk back down to his normal size and disappeared into the woods, not to be seen or heard from again. Well at least for the next 30 years...

Authors Note: The first part of my story has the same basic plot as the original story, I just changed the wording to make it more for this generation. However, I began changing the plot of the story when the frog first started granting wishes. In the original story the frog grants Haina's wife the gift of food, and Haina asks for the power of knowledge. So the frog wrote the seventy languages, and Law on strips of paper and made Haina swallow it. Once it was swallowed Haina became aquainted with all the knowledge in the world. Then the frog took them into the woods where he called upon the birds and insects to bring all the precious stones and herbs to Haina. The family from then on, became known for their knowledge, wealth, wisdom, and charity. But the frog never made any promise to come back, I added that part.

Bibliography: Jewish Fairy Tales and Legends, "The Fairy Frog" by Gertrude Landa link to the reading