Magic Frog (Complete)

In the Kingdom of Newhaven, all the children of the royal family’s employees lived and went to school in the castle. It was very different than the outside world, and usually, the people born to highly ranked parents take over their parent’s position when they are old enough. Alice’s mom was the Queen’s Lady in Waiting, and although Alice wasn’t old enough to comprehend, she would one day be the Crown Princess’s Lady in Waiting.

On May 13, 11199, Alice went to Madam Bell’s Daycare with birthday cupcakes from the royal kitchen to share. She got to daycare early so she could steal an extra cupcake without her parents knowing since her parents only let her have one a day, but Madam Bell caught her and put the cupcakes on the highest shelf in the daycare fridge, “You know we all eat together, we haven’t even had breakfast yet, Hunny,” Madam Bell said in a stern voice, “And you especially know that no one eats before the Princess gets here.” Alice pouted and went to sit on a blue chair at the corner of the room. She sat there for 20 minutes looking at the new books Madam Bell bought over the weekend until she heard tiny footsteps coming from the hallway. Alice ran to the door and jumped, ready to scare her friend Rosa, but instead, it was a dark-haired boy she had never met before. “There you are, Joseph. Just go ahead and do whatever you want until everyone else gets here, Hunny.”

“Hi! What do you like to do? I’ve never been in a place like this before.” Joseph asked Alice enthusiastically. Alice and Joseph walked over to the bookshelf, and Joseph picked out some books to read. “I just moved here from the Kingdom of Newhall. My father is the ambassador for the King here, and he was sent to Newhall when I was a baby.” Alice looked at Joseph and what books he was picking out very closely. “You’ve got good taste in books!” Joseph said when he saw the pile Alice collected on the chair. Alice blushed and looked away from Joseph, “Madam Bell, where is the bathroom?” he asked and left with a maid from the daycare guiding him.

“Good morning, Madam Bell,” Rosa said when she arrived. “Good morning, Alice.” Alice walked towards Rosa to greet her, and about five students walked in after Rosa.

“Good morning, Princess Rosalinda. How wonderful it is to have you here.” Madam Bell responded.

The children all clamored in until it was eight, and the light in the room was fully bright. After breakfast, Alice sat on the floor and played with a stuffed frog, but all she could think about were the cupcakes. Joseph walked up to Alice and asked, “Do you like frogs? I love frogs. Can I play with you?” Alice nodded, and Joseph gave a voice to the frog, “Oh no! I’m a prince who turned into a frog. How will I ever be a prince again?!” Alice and Joseph laughed.

“Joseph, come here!” Madam Bell yelled, and Joseph looked at Alice sad and left.

Alice looked around for Rosa, and when she looked back at the stuffed frog, it was gone, and in its place stood a real frog staring at Alice with big black eyes. Alice reached for the frog, but it hopped away, and Alice was left sitting there alone.

“Where is the frog you were playing with?” asked Madam Bell. Alice shrugged, and Madam Bell looked disappointed, “You better find that frog, Alice, or you won’t eat any cupcakes today.” Alice pouted and started looking around the room to find it, but every time she saw it, it would hop away. She finally managed to get close enough to catch it, but when she lunged, it leaped outside into the garden.

Alice felt the tears in her eyes as she realized she wouldn’t be able to look for the frog until after lunch when the whole class would go outside, which meant she wouldn’t eat cupcakes.

“Lunchtime, everybody!” Madam Bell yelled to get all the kids to sit at the big table in the daycare dining room. Everyone ate their spaghetti and crackers, and after everyone finished, Madam Bell gave Rosa the first cupcake, “Ok Princess Rosalinda, you can start eating your cupcake now.” Madam Bell turned to Alice and asked, “Did you find the toy you lost?” Alice shook her head and looked up at Madam Bell on the verge of tears, and Madam Bell looked at her disappointed, “You won’t get a cupcake then.” Madam Bell walked away, and Rosa got up and tugged on Madam Bell’s skirt.

“Madam Bell, can you please give Alice a cupcake. It’s her birthday, and I will make sure she finds the toy after lunch,” Rosa pleaded.

“Princess, you can’t look for the toy; you weren’t the one who lost it.” Madam Bell paused and looked down at Rosa’s pleading face. “Fine, I’ll give Alice a cupcake, but she has to find the frog before school ends, or she can’t bring cupcakes to school again.” Rosa smiled and sat in her seat again. After everyone ate their cupcakes, all the kids went to the garden, and Alice continued to look for the frog.

After an hour of looking, Alice spotted the frog behind the swing set. She chased the frog to the garden's edge, where she saw Joseph. “Are you trying to catch the frog? I’ll help you.” The two chased the frog around the garden until they finally lunged and caught it in both their hands. Alice blushed and looked at Joseph, who smiled widely at her.

“Are you guys, ok?” Rosa said as she peaked through the bushes. When she saw Joseph, her eyes widened, “Oh hi, I’ve never seen you before.”

“Oh yeah, I’m new. It’s nice to meet you.” Joseph and Alice stood up, and Joseph let go of the frog. As he let go, the frog turned back into a stuffed frog, and Alice looked at Joseph as he walked away with Princess Rosalinda, and Alice was left alone.