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
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contemplating ecological issues
~~~~~~~~
on the shores of an unpolluted
pond
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in a verdant meadow near her castle.
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The frog hopped into the princess' lap
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and said: " Elegant Lady,
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I was once a handsome prince,
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until an evil witch cast a
spell upon me.
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One kiss from you, however,
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and I will turn back
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into the dapper, young prince that I am
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and then, my sweet, we can marry
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and set up
housekeeping in your castle
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with my mother,
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where you can prepare my meals,
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clean my clothes, bear my children,
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and forever feel
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grateful and happy doing so. "
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That night,
~~~~~~~~
as the princess dined sumptuously
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on lightly sautéed frog legs
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seasoned in a white wine
~~~~~~~
and onion cream sauce,
~~~~~~~~
she chuckled and thought to herself:
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I don't freakin' think so!