Reading Notes: The Fairy Frog, Part B

For reading part B, I chose to look at the second part of the Jewish Fairy Tales because I enjoyed the part A stories greatly. My favorite story in part B was titled The Fairy Frog by Gertrude Landa. She was also the author of the story I focused on for part A, so I'm not surprised that I was drawn to both of the stories.

If I were to re-write this story I would make the main character be a single woman. When her parents die and give her the instructions she will follow them. Her wishes would be slightly different though. First, she would wish for the perfect husband because that is what she desires most in life. Next, she will wish for knowledge. And finally she will wish for wealth.

Another key part that I would change is the frog. When she goes to the market and is supposed to take the first thing offered to her, it will be a lamp. Inside the lamp of course, is a genie. The genie is supposed to grant her whatever she wishes, and she receives all that she has asked for. While reading the story, I kept thinking how perfect it would make sense if the genie was the character granting wishes, rather than a frog.

I like how happy the ending is, as most stories I've read so far have been. The story has great lessons incorporated depending on the reader's perspective. From one perspective, the lesson could be that doing what your told and being patient can lead to a positive outcome. A different lesson could come from a biblical perspective where God asks you to trust him and be patient. Although it's not the plan or outcome you had in mind, in the end the result is something wonderful. In this case, her parents have died and life isn't far, but she waits and trusts her father's word and is gifted in many ways.

 Genie in a lamp

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