The Will to Secrecy

The customer picked up the sword, reverently it seemed, and admired it before turning the point toward its smith. "Now, if you please, the secret of your peerless weapons."
"Hmph. You aren't the first to try that," the swordsmith said. "It works, too, but once they hear it, they all swear to keep the secret. Of their own volition!"
"We will see. So?"
"It's the metal. Froganite."
"I have never heard of froganite. Are you sacrificing your life for a joke?"
"Of course you haven't heard of it. It's secret. Froganite is exceedingly rare because there's only one way to get it, and not from any mine. First, a steel frog devours gold flies. Then . . ."
"Then?"
"Then my assistants wait a week or so and pick up the, uh, result of the process. Takes a while to get enough."
The customer examined the sword again, somewhat less reverently. "Really?"
"Yep."
"Oh. Well." Saying that, he sheathed the magnificent blade, and nothing needed be said about whether he would tell anyone the truth behind it. On the verge of leaving, he paused. "How did anyone find that out?"
"You aren't the first to ask that, either."
Finis

The Lesson of Donkey Kong Country

That dude rode all kinds of animals that weren't horses. Out of sight!

Journey of the Frog Prince

Once upon a time there was a frog prince, and he was troubled for he had no subjects. "I must subject frogs to my government if I am to be a true prince," he said to no one, for he had as yet no court. He sought frogs to rule over, and while doing so, of course he ran into an adventure.
There was a castle, and outside it a knight wept for all the magnificence of his arms and his steed, and moreover he had many followers. The frog hopped to him and asked the cause of his sorrow.
"I see that you are a prince among frogs, Your Highness," the knight said and bowed. "Inside this castle lives a coward who has kidnapped my wife, my parents, my brothers and sisters, and that is to speak only of my own woes. He loves ransom and nothing else. The solution to the problem would be easy if ever he came to face me, but knowing that he hides himself behind those walls that were enchanted by a sorcerer for whom the coward did some wicked deed. I cannot bring them down no matter the engines I bring against them."
"I'm minded to chastise this fellow," the frog replied. "Array your people outside the gate and observe." After bidding the knight in that fashion, the frog hopped up to the walls and with a princely leap crossed over entirely. Soon he had the gate open, for though there were guards, the event surprised them so much that they fainted.
The knight stormed the castle and soon proved the truth of his earlier boast by beheading the cruel lord of the place. Everyone was free of that menace, whereupon the frog prince received much praise.
The knight further asked if there was anything they might do for the frog, whereupon the animal replied, "Certainly, if you might tell me where to find common frogs, for it is quite improper for me, a prince, not to rule over subjects."
"That is true, Your Highness, but I cannot see why they must be frogs that you rule." The knight said that and did homage on the spot, and everyone in the castle followed. As the years passed, the frog prince's power only grew. When next you wonder why we are ruled by frogs, remember there was a good reason for it, whatever you think of the arrangement now.
Finis