by T F Carthick
But there was one thing about what these humans were discussing - it seemed to tie in with whatever the kid had dreamed. There did seem to have been a ball at the prince’s that night. Could it be true that Cinderella had gone there as the mystery princess? And our boy somehow as her horse? It did seem too far-fetched. But then lot of weird things do happen in the world. Some of the old wives tell tales of faeries who lurk around indulging in all kinds of mischief. A rational mind tends to dismiss such tales. But as they say, reality is often stranger than fiction. And anyways we mice aren’t all that hung up about rationality.
But even if he had really been a horse for the evening, it was best he forgot about it. Nothing good was going to come of brooding over that one glorious evening. Many lives, especially those of men, have been ruined by the constant longing to return to that one moment of grandeur from the past that one can never revisit.
The next day, the young fellow came running excitedly. “The prince! He is here. He has with him one of the shoes that my princess wore to the ball. I can remember it clearly. I had not been dreaming.”
I sighed. So, he had found out after all? Who can stall fate? I went with him to the edge of the hole to see what was happening.
The prince’s servants held out a beautiful slipper made of glass. They tried it on the foot of the first girl. The foot just wouldn’t go in. She tried her best to squeeze it in. But no!
“I don’t think you are the girl, my dear. Let us try the other girl,” said the prince.
“Wait, prince! I am the girl you are looking for. I think my foot must have got swollen from all the dancing. Once the swelling reduces, I am sure it will fit.”
These humans! The prince just dismissed her with a nod and motioned his servants to try out the slipper on the other girl.
The other girl’s foot went in very easily. But then came out as easily as well. Clearly the slipper was too big for her. “Doesn’t fit you either, my dear? And I don’t think it can be your mother. She is not the right age. Any other young girls here?”
“Wait, prince! I am the girl you are looking for. I think my foot must have worn out from all the dancing. With some rest, it will be back to normal and the slipper will fit.”
Come on! What was she thinking? Her sister could at least be credited with some originality. Before the prince could respond, her mother placed her hand on her shoulder to silence her and spoke quickly.
“No, my prince. We have only these two girls in our home.”
“Wait! Wait! There is still Cinderella. She is the one you are looking for,” he began shouting at the top of his voice. But then men had never bothered to learn the language of mice. So, all they must have heard was squeaking.
But he was not one to give up. He rushed out of the hole and ran to the kitchen where Cinderella had been asked to remain during the prince’s visit. This boy was just impossible.
“Eeeks! A rat!” a shrill voice was heard from the kitchen. That’s humans for you.
“Is there someone in the kitchen?”
“That’s nobody. I mean that’s just our scullery maid, Cinderella. She can’t possibly be the one you are looking for.”
“Call her here at once!”
“No. It can’t be her. She is just a plain serving-girl.”
“No. Don’t listen to her. Cinderella is the one you are looking for, prince.”
I marveled at the young one’s persistence. How nice to be young and full of dreams and hopes!
“Come on, sonny. The show is over. Let us return to our hole now.”
“That I will decide. Call her at once!”
We stopped in our tracks. I was surprised. Had the little fellow’s words somehow managed to get through to the prince?
“It would be a waste of your highness’ valuable time to have her try out the slipper. We have known her since she was a child. She has never ever been anywhere outside these four walls!”
“You mean you have kept a poor child in captivity all these years? How cruel! I am going to have you thrown in the dungeons! Guards!”
“No. No. My prince. We didn’t confine her against her will. We wouldn’t even dream of doing anything of that sort. In fact, she is dearer to me than my own daughters. I just meant she doesn’t like to go anywhere.”
How these humans lie! Through their teeth!
“Call her, then. I will ask her myself and find out.”
The woman’s face had turned red like a beetroot. I was enjoying this. And as far as my young friend was concerned, he was jumping up and down in excitement. I really hoped he wouldn’t attract human attention towards us.
“Cinderella! Cinderella, my dear girl! Come over here, darling! See who’s here to see you!”
The girl came out hesitantly. As soon as she saw the prince, her face lit up in recognition. But she quickly lowered her head and stood meekly while the servants accompanying the prince asked her to put her foot into the slipper. She eased her foot into the slipper gingerly, her eyes focused firmly on the slipper. It went all the way in and stayed there. It was a perfect fit. It had to be. After all, as per the young fellow, the slipper was hers. Unless, of course, the dancing had caused her feet to swell or wear out.
“See. I told you. She was the princess that night. See how the slipper fit her perfectly. Do you believe me at least now?”
“Well, sonny…”
“Come forward, lass. Let me take a good look at you.”
She stepped closer to him. The Prince looked at her intently from head to foot. Meanwhile the young fellow had also emerged out of the hole to get a better view of the proceedings. Even I stepped out and tiptoed after him.
“You are indeed my princess. Come with me, my love.” He knelt down in front of her and held out his hand. These humans! Drama is their second name! “Come with me, my dear. Come to my palace with me and be the companion of my heart.”
He held her by the hand and led her out. The old woman and the two girls were looking as if they had sunk their teeth into a piece of cardboard, mistaking it for cheese.
“What about me? Take me also along, princess. I am your loyal steed. It is I who took you to the ball the first time. It is I who ensured the prince found you. Now don’t leave me behind.” He ran after them.
I felt so sorry for him.
She suddenly turned around. Had she finally recognized him? This story seemed to be headed for a true fairy-tale ending. Maybe she would now pick him up and kiss him, transforming him magically into a horse. Princess’ kisses seem to be one of the strong elements of faerie magic. Such kisses have been known to transform frogs and grotesque beasts into princes, so why not transform my young friend into a horse! After all, it had been done once. I watched with bated breath.
“These rats are such a nuisance. Shoo! Go away.”
Something large just missed him as he scurried back to the hole.
* * * * * *
After everyone left, we emerged out of the hole again. The object she had thrown still lay there. We went closer to examine it. It was that slipper. The glass one that had helped her be discovered. It too had been discarded, having served its purpose, just like my young friend.
Time, as they say, is the best healer. As the days passed, he recovered and got on with life. If I were a human, I would sing paeans to his resilience and stuff. But the truth is, he had no other option. He still gets melancholy now and then, thinking of how grand it would have been to have been a royal horse. This was not one of those stories where everyone starts to live happily ever after. That privilege is reserved only for the princes and princesses. The rest of are just mice, who carry on with our miserable lives.
The Frog who would be King
“You will take me with you. You will care for me. You will let me sleep on your bed and eat from your plate as well.”
“Anything else? How about I wipe your ass for you every time you take a crap? And clean all the filth behind your ears?”
Can you imagine the audacity of t
hat creature? It is able to talk like humans. Now that is something wonderful, I grant you. But that does not excuse this kind of extortionist behavior. Come on! This is just not done. All it is offering to do is to dive to the bottom of the lake and retrieve the damn ring that I happened to drop in there – and, for such a simple thing, it wants me to accept these atrocious conditions. If my father had not been such a prude, I myself would have got out of this gown and dived into the river. But then you never know who might be watching. That curmudgeon father of mine would be completely scandalized if some knave’s twisted tale of the princess spending her free time cavorting naked in public lakes reaches him. No! I would never risk that. If one of the bondsmen or guards had been around, I would have asked him to jump in. But none seem to be in sight. The only creature around seems to be this ill-mannered frog.
“Well, why not? Any add-on benefits are always welcome.”
I wish I had the magical power to reduce the frog to ashes with one stern look. But unfortunately, this cruel world will never offer us anything we want. It has no such useful magic; it only has vile magic that allows this slimy creature from the swamps to taunt me.
“So, what is the decision? Do you want your ring or not? I don’t have all the time in the world.”
Indeed! Only princesses are jobless. Even a frog is a busier than a princess, eh? What pitiable lives we princesses lead. And I hear many of the common women dream of being princesses. For the life of me, I can’t imagine why anyone would want this miserable life.
Don’t do this. Don’t do that. Act as per your station. Doll up and show your mug and frame at every stupid royal banquet. Smile and speak sweetly to every damn slime-ball attending the banquet and act as if you don’t know the vile thoughts running in their heads. And then public appearances! Again, deck yourself like a China-doll and put yourself on public display – this time for the benefit of the commoners. Wave to them and deliver pre-rehearsed speeches full of empty words! What kind of life is this!
“Splash!” My reverie is broken by a sudden sound of movement in the water. It is that dratted frog again. It has jumped into the lake and I can see it swimming away. What do I do now? I need that ring. It has the royal insignia on it. If father comes to know of its loss, I have had it. I dare not go home without it. I obviously can’t jump in and retrieve it myself. So, what do I do? I can see the sky has already taken on a dark orange hue that is fast tuning maroon. Soon the sun will set and it will be night.
“Oh all right, all right, fine! I’ll do all that, now go and get me my ring!” I yell.
“All what? It is always good to put down everything nice and clear in a formal manner. To avoid confusion later, you know.”
“Frog, I will take you home and let you eat from my plate and sleep on my bed. Happy? Now hurry and get me the ring.”
The frog stops swimming and begins to make its way back towards me. Just a frog and what arrogance! It has to be requested twice before it responds! Can’t imagine how much more intolerable it will be if it were but a man. Ugh! I can’t even imagine. I have seen so many of those uncouth young men – sons of the court nobles and princes of neighboring kingdoms.
The frog has disappeared down the spot where I lost my ring. Good! At least it is doing its job. Soon a blunt head breaks through the clear surface of the lake. It is followed by the whole green body of the frog. It has my ring in its mouth. I stretch my arm for the ring. The frog leaps out of the water right into my open palm. I resist the temptation to overturn the hand and drop it to the ground. It surveys me from head to torso with its bulbous eyes. Do I see a hint of lechery in them? Probably not. Come on! It is just a frog. I am being paranoid.
It finally drops the ring from its mouth. The ring feels wet and slimy. It must be covered with the creature’s spittle. Ugh! How disgusting! Once I reach home, I need to wash it well. But now there is very little time before it will turn pitch dark. I need to reach home fast. I break into a run. Father would not have approved of this. He says running is not dignified and not befitting of princesses. But if I don’t run, I will be out alone in the dark. Which, I think, would please father even less. So, running is the lesser of the two evils - with the added benefit that it makes me feel so light and free.
“Wait! Wait! You are supposed to take me with you!” I can hear the frog croak in the distance.
The beast! Serve it right! Did the creature think it could really blackmail its way into my bedroom? I am soon back in the palace. Just in time for the banquet! Phew! I quickly rush into my room and change. There isn’t enough time to wash the ring, though. I just slip it into my finger as it is, slime and all. At the banquet, I hardly feel like eating with my hands so filthy. I just pick at my food, nibbling a bit here and a bit there, as little as I can without inviting comment. It is a great relief when it finally ends and I can return to the privacy of my room. I immediately rush to the bathroom to clean the ring and my hands.
I am halfway through the cleaning when a knock is heard at the door. An attendant is at the door. “The king summons you to his chamber.” This is strange. Why does father want to see me in this late hour? One thing is for certain though – whatever be the reason, it is not going to be anything pleasant. I wonder if someone reported to him that I was seen running? My heart full of trepidation, I knock at his door.
“Come in,” booms his stern, authoritarian voice. I don’t like its tone. I sense something ominous. I gingerly open the door and enter. My father is seated in his ornate chair in full royal attire, as if he is giving audience to a dignitary. And in the chair next to him…my eyes almost pop out at the sight. This is so ghastly. It is worse than anything I can imagine. On the chair, next to father, sits the frog. There is a smug expression on its face - if a frog can be said to have one such. It welcomes me by sticking out its tongue. What is the frog doing here? How did it find its way to the palace?
“The frog here tells me a very interesting story.”
I know that “interesting” - with every syllable emphasized for effect - all too well. That, and the dark look on father’s face, do not bode well for me. I stand with my head bowed down and try to focus on my feet.
“Look at me when I am talking to you, Anika! I believe you are already acquainted with our guest here.”
I can sense the growing sarcasm in his voice. I nod my head, mute. It is best to say as little as possible when father is in this kind of mood.
“And you apparently made a promise to him.”
I nod once again. I wonder where this is going to lead.
“And you know royalty is expected to be true to their word, even at peril to their lives.”
Father always likes a touch of drama. But unfortunately, ‘peril to life’ kind of summed up my situation quite aptly.
“But father, this frog wants me to take it with me to my dining room and bedroom,” I protest weakly.
“You ought to have reflected on the wisdom of it, before making the promise. Now it is too late. You have gone and made a promise, unwise though it may be. You have no other choice but to abide by it.”
“But father….” My voice chokes. It feels like the executioner’s axe has fallen on my neck. I now have to keep this frog with me all the time. When I am sleeping. When I am eating. When I am dressing. Life will become a living hell.
“I don’t want any arguments. You have given your word to the frog. Keep it.”
The meeting is over. Father is like that. He is always full of traditions, law and justice and all that. I think it gives him a sense of authority. And a feeling of playing God. It is what he enjoys most in the world – controlling the lives of others.
I pick up the creature from the chair and carry it to my bedroom.
“Did you think you could deceive me so easily?”
I try to ignore the taunt.
“Not talking to your new roommate? You know it is nice to get to know each other if we are to spend the rest of our lives together.”
I maintain my silen
ce. I have promised to have the frog around only when eating and sleeping. And that is all I shall do. There was no mention of talking to it in the promise I made. I shall not dignify the frog’s rude banter with responses.
“Is this how it is, then? You just wait. I will break through your silence as I have broken into your bedroom.”
I cringe at its words. Soon I am in the bedroom. I force myself to put the frog down as gently as possibly on the bed. I then lie down next to it in my outdoor clothes. I am not going to change clothes in front of this vile creature. This creature may look like an innocuous little frog but I think I can recognize the roving eye of a lecherous human male. I am not going to give it the pleasure of feasting its eyes on my exposed flesh. No. As long as I am with the frog, I shall always be in full attire.
Luckily the day has tired me so much that it is not long before beauty sleep embraces me in its arms.
* * * * * *
The next morning, I am woken up by something heavy bouncing over my belly. It is the frog.
“Rise and shine, my dear. For the morning has come.”
I resist an urge to give the frog a piece of my mind. It will not provoke me into giving it lip. No. I won’t speak to it, even if to admonish it, how much ever it provokes me. But there are other ways I can react. I roll out of my bed and make as if towards the dressing-table, as the frog watches. Then suddenly I turn around, grab the frog, and ignoring all its protests, I carry it to a small wooden box. I put it inside and shut the lid. Now this feels good! Finally, a victory for me after all the bullying I have experienced at the frog’s hands. Or should I say legs?
I then proceed to get ready. When I am ready for breakfast, I release the frog.