A wizard left each of his three sons a gift before he died. The oldest received a mirror, through which he could see anyone in the world. The second, a horse which could ride to any place in the world in one day. The third, a magic apple which would never rot, and when eaten would cure any disease.

One day the brothers heard about a princess in a faraway land who was dying of an unknown disease. Rumour had it the king would let the man who saved his daughter marry her. The brothers sprung into action. The first looked in his mirror and saw the ill princess and the land she lived in. All three jumped on the second brother's horse, and they rode so fast they got to the princess' land the next morning. Then the third son took his apple to the princess, who ate it and recovered full health instantly.

The king was grateful, and indeed intended to let one of them marry the princess. But it had taken the cooperation of all three brothers to save her. Which one did the king decide should marry his daughter?

(In reply to Solution by Penny)

Aren't you assumeing that the wizard is dead? The problem never says this. The problem reads "A wizard left each of his three sons a gift before he died." This is of course in past tence but so is the rest of the story. So, the wizard gives his sons their gifts, the action of the story takes place, the king gives his daughter to the wizard, and he dies on their wedding night. This is my reasoning. What do you think?

Posted by York on 2004-02-13 12:20:26