Aunt Matilda could usually be depended upon for amazing and magical
gifts. Lilly still enjoyed the “cape-o-maid” that allowed her to pass as a serving
girl whenever she wished (it was nearly as good as being invisible), and the spit-
ting hair ribbon was always a good conversation starter.
She had great hopes for her present this year. Her aunt knew she would be
coming of age. Maybe this would be something handy like a long-range prince
detector, or perhaps a quart of “prince-be-gone.” She fumbled with the wrap-
ping paper, then sighed in disappointment. The package contained a crystal
bottle labeled “Pond Water.”
“Strange,” Lilly pondered. “I’ve heard of Lavender Water, and Rose Water,
but Pond Water?”
She didn’t care for perfume. The smell attracted mosquitoes and fat furry
flies, not to mention handsome princes that were often harder to get rid of than
the insects. Still, everyone kept giving her the stuff. An entire shelf over her bed
was lined with bottles of every shape and size, each filled with some odoriferous
potion guaranteed to send strong men to their knees, preferably with a ring in
one hand and a crown in the other.
Lilly longed to dump all the bottles down the sink, but it would probably
hurt the pipes. Besides, if the plumbing backed up, the castle could reek for
weeks.
She started to put the bottle with the others, then paused to take one whiff
so she could thank her aunt properly, even if the gift wasn’t at all what she
wanted. It was a most peculiar aroma. Nothing at all like the other perfumes
she owned.
Lilly shook her head and reinserted the cork. Then, suddenly, the entire
room expanded—the walls shooting up like hyperactive trees.
Lilly recognized that magic was at work. Still, it seemed odd that it should
make her room grow, or... Cautiously Lilly looked down at herself.
Then she jumped.
Actually she jumped rather high. Higher than most princesses could jump.
Of course, her jump was just average for a frog, which was what she had
turned into.
“Aunt Matilda,” Lilly croaked with a smile. “She’s always loved the
classics.”
The maid entered the room and screamed at the sight of a frog nestled in
a pile of the princess’s clothing. Immediately several dozen guardsmen charged
in. One bravely picked up the frog and, holding it with two fingers, tossed itODORIFEROUS
MEANS STINKY.
SMELLY.20