In a bygone era, there existed a magnificent kingdom where a wise and benevolent king ruled with love and grace. This king had three beautiful daughters, and his affection for them knew no bounds. However, a fateful day would test the depth of their love.
The King’s Puzzling Decision
One day, the king, in a bid to gauge the love his daughters held for him, made a decision. He would subject his beloved daughters to a test to ascertain the extent of their affection. The king summoned his daughters, gathering them around him, and posed a simple yet profound question to each of them, “How much do you love me?”
The Eldest Daughter’s Profound Love
The eldest daughter, with sincerity in her eyes, replied, “Dearest Father, I love you as much as all the heroes in the world combined.” The king’s heart swelled with joy at her words.
The Second Daughter’s Professed Love
Turning to his second daughter, the king asked the same question. She replied with equal devotion, “Beloved Father, my love for you is as vast as all the gold and silver in the world.” The king beamed with happiness at her response.
A Startling Revelation
Finally, it was the youngest daughter’s turn. She spoke gently, “Dear Father, I love you as much as salt.” This seemingly simple answer left the king baffled and somewhat disappointed.
The king could not comprehend why his youngest daughter had equated his love with something as common as salt. He assumed that he must have misheard her, for he expected declarations as grand as the sun, moon, and stars combined.
The youngest daughter, sensing her father’s confusion, tried to explain herself. “I mean no disrespect, Father. Salt is an essential part of every meal, just as your love is an integral part of my life. Without salt, food loses its taste, and without your love, my life loses its essence.”
The king’s heart melted, and he realized the profound wisdom in his youngest daughter’s words. It wasn’t the grandeur of the comparison but the depth of meaning behind it that truly mattered.
A Bittersweet Decision
Overcome with emotion, the king decided that he would send out invitations for his youngest daughter’s wedding. He hoped that the occasion would serve as an opportunity to strengthen their bond. However, he was met with an unexpected response from the youngest princess.
“My dear father, I can only marry under one condition: your approval. Unfortunately, I sense your disapproval of this match, and I cannot proceed without your blessing,” she confessed.
The king was deeply saddened by his youngest daughter’s words, for he was indeed not in favor of the match. He had heard unsettling stories about the prince who had crossed their path. Troubled, he voiced his concerns to his daughter, who understood the gravity of his unease.
The wise princess assured her father that she would send an invitation to the prince. However, she refrained from mentioning the intended groom’s identity in the letter. Instead, she sent a message inviting the prince to the royal palace for an important celebration.
An Unconventional Proposal
The day of the grand celebration arrived, and the prince, unaware of the real purpose of the event, joined the festivities with a light heart. As he sat down at the sumptuously decorated dining table, he noticed that the food lacked salt.
Quickly, a veiled young lady appeared, carrying a small dish of salt. She approached the prince and said, “I hope this salt enhances the taste of your meal. It is said that salt can make everything better.”
The prince recognized the cleverly veiled message behind these words. He understood that the youngest princess was, in fact, proposing to him in the most unconventional way.
A Heartwarming Reconciliation
Filled with joy, the prince immediately accepted the proposal. As he and the youngest princess exchanged smiles and glances, the entire room radiated with happiness. The king, who had been observing the events unfold, realized the depth of love and wisdom within his daughters.
Conclusion
This heartwarming tale reminds us that love and understanding are more precious than grand gestures and extravagant declarations. It teaches us that love, like salt, may not always be showcased with extravagant words but is the essential element that makes life flavorful.