I was so happy when the princess was tossing me in the air. Me, the very image of the bright sun!

Now I’m sinking down into the murky waters of the well. Where is the bottom? There doesn’t seem to be any bottom! It’s cold down here, and getting blacker by the moment. How will anyone ever find me?

Shine, I tell myself. No matter where you are, keep shining!

The Golden Ball in The Frog King, Grimms. Illustration by P.J. Lynch