The Princess’s Three Conditions

Princess Nageena was the only daughter of a wise and powerful king, and for this reason she was dearly loved by both her parents. She was known not only for her beauty, but also for her intelligence and dignified upbringing. As she reached marriageable age, the king and queen began to worry about finding a suitable match for her.

Soon, proposals arrived from two neighboring kingdoms. One prince was named Shandar—a noble, intelligent, brave, and handsome young man. The other, Dilshad, lacked wisdom and virtue. In secret, Dilshad harbored dark ambitions: he planned to marry the princess and later seize the king’s throne through conspiracy. The king and queen found themselves unable to decide which proposal to accept.

The queen decided to seek her daughter’s opinion. After hearing the full details about both princes, Princess Nageena replied respectfully, “Mother, you have raised me to honor my parents’ decisions. Whomever you choose, wherever you decide, I will accept without objection.”

Although pleased by her obedience, the queen insisted that Nageena make the final choice herself. After some thought, the princess said she would marry the prince who fulfilled her three conditions.

The queen was shocked. The conditions were unusual:

The prince must swim in a pond inhabited by a man-eating crocodile.

He must eat an entire cauldron full of rice.

He must ride a sleeping horse.

The queen assumed her daughter was avoiding marriage altogether. However, the king understood his daughter’s wisdom and announced that both princes would be invited to attempt the challenge.

When the princes arrived, the king and queen were immediately impressed by Prince Shandar’s grace and character, while Prince Dilshad appeared flattering and insincere. Despite the queen’s request to withdraw the conditions, Princess Nageena remained firm.

The first test was held at the crocodile pond. Upon seeing the beast, Prince Dilshad panicked and refused to continue, declaring the conditions impossible. He left immediately, abandoning all hope of marriage.

Prince Shandar, however, calmly stated he would swim the next day. That night, his servants secretly captured the crocodile and released it into a distant river. The next morning, the prince swam peacefully in the pond. When asked about the crocodile, he explained, “Your condition was to swim in the pond—not to fight the crocodile.” The princess accepted his reasoning, impressed by his intelligence.

The second test required him to eat a cauldron of rice. To everyone’s surprise, Prince Shandar produced a very small metal pot, filled it with rice, and ate it entirely. “I have eaten a full pot of rice,” he said. Once again, the princess acknowledged that the condition had been fulfilled exactly as stated.

For the third test, Prince Shandar presented a beautiful horse and proudly announced its name: “Sleeping Horse.” Since it was his horse, he had every right to name it. He then mounted the horse and rode it gracefully, thereby riding “a sleeping horse” as required.

The king and queen burst into laughter, delighted by the prince’s cleverness. Princess Nageena explained that her conditions were never meant to be dangerous trials of strength, but tests of intelligence and wisdom. She wished to marry a man who could think wisely, not just act bravely.

Satisfied and relieved, the king and queen arranged the marriage. The wedding was celebrated with great joy, and Princess Nageena and Prince Shandar lived happily ever after.

Satisfied and relieved, the king and queen arranged the marriage. The wedding was celebrated with great joy, and Princess Nageena and Prince Shandar lived happily ever after. Satisfied and relieved, the king and queen arranged the marriage. The wedding was celebrated with great joy, and Princess Nageena and Prince Shandar lived happily ever after.