The Clever Girl Part 1

Then, the king asked the shepherd, Who gave you these answers

The shepherd honestly replied, My daughter did.

The king, realizing that the girl was both beautiful and intelligent, sent his minister in disguise to test her wisdom.

The minister arrived at the shepherds house as a traveler and knocked on the door, but no one answered. So, he entered and saw the girl sitting near a fireplace, warming herself.

Seeing him, she said, Forgive me, but our house has no ears.

The minister, puzzled, asked, Are you alone Where are your parents or siblings

She replied, I have a brother.

Where is he the minister asked.

He has gone to change the name of some grain.

When will he return the minister asked.

She replied, If he takes the short route, he will be late. If he takes the long route, he will arrive early.

Confused, the minister then asked about her mother. The girl answered, She has gone to dress two old women as brides.

The minister couldnt understand a word. Finally, he admitted his confusion and asked her to explain.

The girl laughed and said, If there is no dog in the house, it means the house has no ears, as a dog is like a guardian that listens and alerts.

She continued, My brother went to the mill to grind wheat into flour. Once wheat is ground, its name changes to flour.

Then she explained the route riddle If he takes the short route, he will pass by an inn and might stop to rest, delaying his return. But if he takes the longer route without an inn, he will return sooner.

Finally, she explained her mothers task She is stitching two old pieces of cloth together to make a new garment.

The minister was amazed by her intelligence and reported back to the king, saying, She is both beautiful and clever.

The king was pleased and sent a message to the shepherd Bring your daughter to me tomorrow. But she must not come on foot or on horseback. She must not walk on the road or beside it. She must not be dressed or undressed. She must not bring a gift, but she must not come emptyhanded either. If she fulfills all these conditions, I will marry her. If not, I will have her executed.

The old shepherd was heartbroken and told his daughter. But she smiled and said, Dont worry, Father. I will follow the kings instructions perfectly.

The next day, she wrapped herself in a fishing net, sat on a rabbit, and carried two pigeons in her hands. She placed one foot on the road and the other on the grassy edge.

When she reached the palace gates, the kings dogs rushed at her. She released the rabbit, and the dogs chased it instead.

As she entered the court, she bowed before the king and said, Your Majesty, please accept my gift.

Just as the king reached for the pigeons, she let them go, and they flew away.

The king laughed, realizing she had fulfilled all his conditions

She had come neither on foot nor on horseback.

She had walked neither on the road nor beside it.

She was neither dressed nor undressed (wrapped in a fishing net).

She had brought a gift but left with nothing.

Impressed by her wisdom, the king declared, I will make you my queen.

And so, the shepherds clever daughter married the king, and they lived happily ever after.

Impressed by her wisdom, the king declared, I will make you my queen.

And so, the shepherds clever daughter married the king, and they lived happily ever after.