The Three Questions
The Princess’s Challenge
The king of Avanthi had a beautiful daughter named Aravalli. Many princes fell in love with her, but she announced that she would marry only the one who could answer the three questions she posed. Despite numerous attempts, none of the princes could provide satisfactory replies to her strange queries. Consequently, no one in the land could give correct answers, and the princess remained unwedded.
The Prince’s Journey
One day, the prince of Salwa was galloping through the forest on his way to the princess’s palace when he grew hungry. He killed a deer and prepared to roast the venison over a fire. However, every time he lit the fire, a strong gust of wind extinguished the flames. On his last attempt, a fierce blaze erupted, soon engulfing the forest in flames. Miraculously, the prince escaped the forest fire and continued his journey into the night. Still hungry, he scanned the area for signs of habitation and spotted the light of a nearby hut.
A Kind Encounter
As he approached the hut, he saw a woman warming some soup over a fire, surrounded by a dozen hungry children sitting in a circle, waiting to be fed. The prince dismounted his horse and said, “Good woman, can you give me something to eat? I am very hungry.” Without a word, the woman offered him a generous portion of soup and distributed the remaining dregs to her children. Touched by her selflessness, the prince took out a cloth bag from his waist and counted some gold pieces into the woman’s hands before continuing on his way to the princess’s palace.
Facing the Princess
Many well-meaning people tried to dissuade him from answering the princess’s test, but he remained determined to try his luck. Finally, he was brought before the princess, who asked him, “What is the flame in the sea like?” The prince thoughtfully replied, “Like the woman who, despite her great poverty, is yet unselfish and generous. Similarly, the flame lessens its heat in the bosom of the sea.” The princess considered this a good response.
The Final Questions
Her second question was, “Can someone be a friend and an enemy at the same time?” The prince promptly answered, “Air, of course. It blew out my cooking flame, but it also set the forest on fire.” He then explained his forest adventure. Finally, the princess asked, “What flies without wings?” The prince replied, “The mind. My mind flew here without wings out of a desire to marry you.”
A Happy Conclusion
Joyfully, the princess clapped her hands and informed the king that all her questions had been answered. Thus, one fine day, the prince of Salwa married Aravalli, and they lived happily ever after.