A king's son is cursed by a witch, trapped in an Iron Stove in a forest. A lost princess encounters the stove and promises to marry the voice within to return home. She brings a knife to scrape the stove, freeing a handsome prince. However, she disobeys his command to speak only three words during a visit to her father, causing the stove to vanish. Desperate, she searches for him, eventually finding refuge with a group of frogs who assist her. They provide her with gifts to help her navigate obstacles, including a glass mountain and sharp swords. Disguised as a kitchen maid, she works in the prince's castle, where he believes her dead and is courted by another. Using magical dresses from the frogs, she attempts to gain his attention, but he remains unaware until she finally reveals her identity while weeping outside his door. Recognizing her, the prince rejects the other bride, and they escape together. They overcome the challenges of the glass mountain and the swords, returning to the frogs' house, which transforms into a grand castle. The couple celebrates their wedding, and the princess's father is brought to live with them, uniting two kingdoms in happiness.
By Dinah Mulock · First published 1856 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Adventure, Children's literature