Extra Reading: Jewish Fairy Tale

The Fairy Frog

A Tree frog. Source

A man had a son name Hanina who was grown and lived away from his parents. One day his father sent for Hanina to come home to find his father and mother sick. His father asked him to mourn them for 7 days then on the eve of Passover, to buy what is offered to him first. That item, whatever it is, will bring you good fortune.

A week after his parents died, Hanina went to the market place. Not long after he was there, a man with a silver casket that could only be opened by the person who purchased it at the feast of Passover. The cost of the casket was quite large but he knew he needed to purchase it in order to fulfill his father's wish. He took the casket home to open it. Inside was a smaller casket. He opened the smaller casket and a frog jumped out. Hanina's wife was sad with it only being a frog inside but she fed it anyways. The frog out grew the cabinet that Hanina built for it so he was placed into a special shed.

Feeding the frog began to take toll on Hanina and his wife. Soon they were extremely poor and hungry. His wife began to cry, but the frog stopped her crying by informing her that if she wanted something he would make it appear. She wished for food and a second later, there was a knock on the door and a basket of food was delivered. Hanina knew that a frog that could give whatever one wanted was wise. He wished to be able to have all the wisdom and knowledge. The frog made it so.

One day the frog said it was time for them to be repaid all the good they did for the frog. He made the couple follow him into the woods. The frog called upon all the creatures that lived in the woods to bring roots , herbs and beautiful stones. The group of creatures soon created a grand pile. The frog said the contained everything that they will need to cure all disease. Before leaving the frog informed the two that he was the fairy son of Adam and was able to become any form that he desired. He shrunk down and disappeared into the river.

Hanina and his wife returned home where they became rich and famous from their wisdom and medicine.