When the frog says no, no, no
The classic fairytale of “The Princess and the Frog” has always appealed to me. In particular because I imagine myself as the frog. Nope, that’s not a ‘steem issue — it’s just that I think more highly of the life of the frog than the life of the princess.
Once, years ago while I was toying with the idea of becoming the next, great short story writer, I even began a tale similar to the Grimm’s p&f story. But, in my version, when the Princess offered to kiss the frog, he refused. He recalled a horror story of a cousin who had fallen victim to this, and had instantly been transformed into being a prince. “No, absolutely not!” my frog said, refusing all kisses. “It seems to me being a prince would be boring as heck. I much prefer the sensuous living we frogs have.”
I’m with the frog. (In fact, Italy’s own de-throned young prince can’t ever seem to figure out what exactly to do with the royal part of himself)
All this came to mind today while reading Veronica Lee’s review of Disney’s recently released film of the p&f story (“The Princess and the Frog” the arts desk.com, Jan 27, 2010). It’s a rave. Excerpt:
The Princess and the Frog is adapted by Rob Edwards from the Brothers Grimm fairytale and E.D. Baker’s The Frog Princess, and here we are transported to 1930s New Orleans. But this Big Easy is a fairytale of its own, where Tiana (voiced by Anika Noni Rose) is a hardworking waitress who holds down two jobs and dreams of opening her own restaurant (she is a gifted chef), and her best friend is spoilt little rich girl Charlotte (Jennifer Cody), who is white and lives in a mansion the other side of town. Their connection is that Charlotte’s indulgent father, Big Daddy (John Goodman), loves Tiana’s beignets and gives plenty of work to her seamstress mother, Eudora (Oprah Winfrey).
Can’t wait to see it!
