This is the fairy tale that should have been read to us when we were little:


Once upon a time
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in a land far away,
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a beautiful, independent,
self-assured princess
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happened upon a frog as she sat
contemplating ecological issues
on the shores of an unpolluted pond
in a verdant meadow near her castle.
~~~~~~~~

The frog hopped into the princess' lap
and said: " Elegant Lady,
I was once a handsome prince,
until an evil witch cast a spell upon me.
~~~~~~~~
One kiss from you, however,
and I will turn back
into the dapper, young prince that I am
~~~~~~~~
and then, my sweet, we can marry
~~~~~~~~
and set up housekeeping in your castle
~~~~~~~~
with my mother,
~~~~~~~~
where you can prepare my meals,
~~~~~~~~
clean my clothes , bear my children,
~~~~~~~~
and forever feel

grateful and happy doing so. "
~~~~~~~~






That night,








~~~~~~~~








as the princess dined sumptuously








~~~~~~~~








on lightly sautéed frog legs








~~~~~~~~








seasoned in a white wine








~~~~~~~








and onion cream sauce,








~~~~~~~~








she chuckled and thought to herself:








~~~~~~~~



I don't freakin think so.