You are the only creature that I have seen do a kind deed since a fatal curiosity lured me to this place . ' ` What sort of a frog can you be that knows the language of mortals ? ' asked the queen in her turn . ` But if you do , tell me , I pray , if I alone am a captive , for hitherto I have beheld no one but the monsters of the lake . ' ` Once upon a time they were men and women like yourself , ' answered the frog , ` but having power in their hands , they used it for their own pleasure . Therefore fate has sent them here for a while to bear the punishment of their misdoings . ' ` But you , friend frog , you are not one of these wicked people , I am sure ? ' asked the queen . ' I am half a fairy , ' replied the frog ; ` but , although I have certain magic gifts , I am not able to do all I wish . And if the Lion Fairy were to know of my presence in her kingdom she would hasten to kill me . ' ` But if you are a fairy , how was it that you were so nearly slain by the crow ? ' said the queen , wrinkling her forehead . ` Because the secret of my power lies in my little cap that is made of rose leaves ; but I had laid it aside for the moment , when that horrible crow pounced upon me . Once it is on my head I fear nothing . But let me repeat ; had it not been for you I could not have escaped death , and if I can do anything to help you , or soften your hard fate , you have only to tell me . ' ` Alas , ' sighed the queen , ' I have been commanded by the Lion Fairy to make her a pasty out of the stings of bees , and , as far as I can discover , there are none here ; as how should there be , seeing there are no flowers for them to feed on ? And , even if there were , how could I catch them ? ' ` Leave it to me , ' said the frog , ' I will manage it for you . ' And , uttering a strange noise , she struck the ground thrice with her foot . In an instant six thousand frogs appeared before her , one of them bearing a little cap .
` Cover yourselves with honey , and hop round by the beehives , ' commanded the frog , putting on the cap which her friend was holding XXXXX her mouth .
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