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?

Being the father of a 21 year old daughter I would pick the one with the horse. The one with the apple thinks he can buy her and may trade her out for something he wants more at a later date. The one with the mirror is a playboy, still looking around. The one with the horse is the only one who has the means to get her the heck out of my house. While she is gone I will move without a forewarding address. After all he's got a horse, he'll be running around on her! ;8^)
Edited on February 29, 2004, 10:51 am

Posted by Axorion on 2004-02-29 10:36:42