Rich and poor, noble and commoner, male and female are pitted against one another in this gentle and humorous story. Rich marries poor, when love and devotion are valued above rank. But the focus of the stories lies in the battle of wits between a girl and a rich aristocrat. Not content with proving her superiority with words, she humiliates him with deeds as well. Although the tone is whimsical, even roguish, the intent is deadly serious.
There was an old woman who had three attractive daughters. They were well behaved, and did all the household chores for her, as well as water the plants on the roof. One day, as the oldest was in the midst of her duties, she saw the king's son peer over the edge of the roof, and he said, " Tell me, daughter of the old woman, how many leaves are there in those plants?" The girl was so embarrassed she ran away without saying a word.
The next day, the second daughter went up to the roof. Again, the king's son peered over the roof, and asked the same question he had asked her sister. "Tell me, daughter of the old woman, how many leaves are there in those plants?" The girl was so surprised she ran away without answering.
The third day, the youngest daughter went up to the roof. The king's son was there again, and asked the same question he had asked the other two sisters. "Tell me, daughter of the old woman, how many leaves are there in those plants?" Now, the youngest sister was not only the most attractive of the three, but the cleverest as well Instead of answering, she boldly asked him a question: "How many stars are there in the sky, and how many stones on earth?" The prince was so surprised, and also so charmed by her beauty and lively wit that he instantly fell in love with her.
In order to see his beloved again, and gain entry to her house, the prince disguised himself as a fish peddler. He knocked on the old woman's door, and said, "I sell fish not for money, but for a kiss. The old lady, who was a practical woman, and knew a bargain when she saw one, called out to her oldest daughter, "Look, for a kiss he will give you fish." But she was very haughty and refused, and so did the middle sister. But the youngest daughter was quite willing to accept the offer, and said, "I will gladly give you a kiss in return for fresh fish." The exchange was made, right then and there.
The prince was very persistent. Each day he went to the roof, looking for his beloved. One day passed, then another, but still she did not come. Finally, on the third day, she appeared, with the watering can in her hand. Again he asked her the same question, "Tell me, daughter of the old woman, how many leaves are there in those plants?" "Well," thought the girl, "if he plays games with me, I'll play games with him." "Son of the king," she said lightly, "Let me ask you the same question I asked you the other day, and which you did not answer, "How many stars are in the sky, and how many stones in the earth?" To her amazement, the prince said, "Tell me, daughter of the old woman, how many kisses did you give the fisherman?" Both were so embarrassed they fled from the roof.
By now, the prince was very much in love with the youngest daughter, but didn't know what to do because she was a poor girl, and he was the king's son. Every day, he wandered around the palace, so distraught and worried that he became ill, very ill. The most distinguished doctors of the kingdom were called in to examine him, but no one knew what to do. Finally, people whispered among themselves that his disease had no cure.
Upon learning of the prince's illness, the youngest sister dressed up like a man, and disguised herself as a doctor. She went to the palace, and told the servants to tell the queen a doctor was at the gates who could cure her son. The queen invited her in, and pleaded with her to save her son's life. "I'm sure I can cure him, she said to the queen, "but please leave me alone with the patient." As soon as they were alone, she ordered a lame, sick and mangy donkey to be brought to the bed chamber. Then she said to the prince, "I know your love for the old womanÕs daughter is causing your illness. Kiss the donkey's behind three times, and I promise, you will be cured -- and also have the one you most desire." The prince rose from his bed, kissed the donkey's behind three times, and was instantly cured -- which caused great rejoicing in the palace.
The next day, he went back to the roof of the old womanÕs house. This time he found the youngest daughter waiting for him. "Tell me, daughter of the old woman, he said, "how many leaves are there in those plants?" And she answered, "How many stars are there in the sky, and how many stones on earth?" He parried with, "Tell me, daughter of the old woman, how many kisses did you give the fisherman." And she answered, "And how many times did you kiss the donkey's behind?" "And now," asked the prince, "how many kisses for me?" "Oh," she said boldly, "as many as you wish.Ó
When the prince announced his wish to marry the old woman s daughter, the king and queen gave their blessings. Although a poor girl, they knew her to be devoted to their son, as well as clever and beautiful. Accompanied by a large entourage of nobles, they rode in ornate coaches to the old woman's home. When they knocked at the door, the old lady appeared. "Welcome," she said, curtsying before the royal pair, "what is the purpose of your visit?" "We have come to ask for your youngest daughter's hand in marriage," they said. "I will ask her," said the old woman, and asked them to wait.
Once the proposal was accepted, the daughter put on her prettiest dress and, accompanied by her mother and sisters, was escorted to the palace in the king's coach. The next day the marriage was celebrated with pomp and ceremony, and all the people came out to cheer and wish them well. They were very happy and so were we.
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