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?
It was only a rumor that the king would let the man who saved his daughter marry her, so he wasn't actually bound to select the one that contributed most to her recovery. Instead, he would have selected the one that would benefit his daughter most.
Not the youngest son...his magic gift is no longer worth anything.
Not the oldest son...only he could use the mirror.
The horse could be ridden by anyone, including the princess, so the second son is the obvious choice for a king that loves his daughter.
more likely solution
