Reply To: Tossing the Golden Ball,” with mythologist Catherine Svehla, Ph.D.”
Raised on the Disney version (the gentle kiss that transforms the frog into a prince), I read the tale in the original language in college for my German literature class – major epiphany! That violent burst completely changed the experience (and vastly improved the impact of the story) for me.
I am curious, Catherine – that golden ball which the princess treasured so much fades from the tale once the frog returns it. I don’t want to read to much into this, but I am intrigued. Relating that to my experience (because, of course, the universe revolves around me), I notice the desire that motivates me to get off the couch and out the door (the Call?) often seems unrelated to the adventure that follows.
Have you any thoughts on what happens to that golden ball?