The Three Riddles
PRINCE CALAF grew up in a castle by the Caspian Sea, in a kingdom known as Astrakhan. When he was a young man his parents died. Not long after he assumed control of the land, the kingdom was attacked by a wicked Sultan, who ruled all the land from the Persian Gulf to India. The Sultan's army was huge and brutal, and everyone in Astrakhan, including the young Prince, fled for their lives. The prince's only comfort in exile was his determination that someday he would return and reclaim his kingdom.
In the meantime, young Calaf decided to seek adventure in faraway lands. So he journeyed eastward until he arrived at China, He went straightaway to its capital city, called Peking in those days (today Beijing).
As he approached the castle gates, a procession approached from the distance. Leading the procession was a man whose hands were bound in chains behind him, and whose head was bowed low.
"What's going on?" whispered Calaf to an old man beside him as the procession passed to a slow marching drumbeat.
"Ah, to see this happen yet again!" wailed the man, dabbing his eyes with his handkerchief.
"Ah, to see this happen yet again!" wailed the man.
"What do you mean?" said Calaf, as the procession passed.
"You must be a stranger here," said the old man, "or you would know. In this city we are fortunate to be ruled by an Emperor of exalted abilities. He devises brilliant riddles that few can answer. Recently, he promised a fortune to any contender who could answer three of his riddles. However if the contender cannot answer them correctly, he is put in chains and led to the place of execution. In this way 99 men have already been taken away. And the 99th just passed before us, all of them sons of kings and other noblemen. Such a waste of young life, and for what?"
Calaf's heart jumped. "If I earned that prize," he thought, "with the fortune I could raise an army to reclaim my kingdom. And if I end up suffering the fate of the others who couldn't answer the riddles, of what further use am I to my people anyway? But I must answer the riddles - I must!" With fire in his heart, the young Prince strode to the castle door and knocked.
"I must answer the riddles - I must!"
A chamberlain wearing a golden helmet opened the door. Prince Calaf announced that he would answer the Emperor's three riddles. The chamberlain bid him to wait. After awhile, the chamberlain returned and led the young prince through a wide hallway to a room where the chief mandarin sat with his decorated costume.
"You must first answer a preliminary riddle," said the chief mandarin, "to see if you are worthy to appear in the royal throne room and receive the Emperor's three riddles. If you fail, you will be permitted to leave now and no harm will come to you. Do these terms meet with your satisfaction?"
"Yes," he replied.
"Then," said the chief mandarin, "my Emperor directs you to describe what may be the tree bearing a dozen branches, each branch covered with thirty leaves and each leaf having two colors, one half white and the other black?"
The young Prince thought for a moment. Then he said, "Now that tree is the year, and its twelve branches are the dozen months. The thirty leaves on each branch with two colors are the thirty days of light and the thirty days of dark."
"That is correct," said the chief mandarin with a smile.
"That is correct," said the chief mandarin with a smile.
At that moment the door opened, and two pages led Prince Calaf down a wide corridor that ended at a golden double door. The door opened to a magnificent royal hall draped on all sides with shimmering rich silks from floor to ceiling. At the far end of the room was a high throne made of pure silver in the shape of a dragon, and perched on a silken cushion was the Emperor himself.
"Can it be true," said the Emperor, shaking his head, "that the dust has barely settled from the procession and yet another fool stands before me in a vain attempt to answer my riddles?"
"Sire," said Prince Calaf, bowing low, "with all due respect, kindly allow me to answer the three riddles. I believe I can win the fortune you offer as a prize."
"Son, you are clearly of noble, perhaps royal birth," said the Emperor. "Are you fully aware that should you fail, as all before you who have attempted have failed, that you will be put in chains and delivered to the place of execution?"
As the Emperor said these words, a thought tugged at the corners of the young Prince's mind.
As the Emperor said these words, a thought tugged at the corners of the young Prince's mind.
Was it right to risk everything to answer riddles that already sent 99 contenders to the place of execution? What about his people from Astrakhan, now scattered to parts unknown, and who counted on him to return someday and restore their homeland? Yet how else could he raise the army that he needed? "I can do this," he resolved. And the young Prince said in a voice as strong as he could muster, "I am ready, Your Majesty."
"Then we shall begin," said the Emperor. Turning to the Princess, who stood near him, he said, "Daughter, commence."
"Yes, father," sighed the Princess. She turned to Calaf, standing before her. "I advise you to listen carefully, for I will speak the first riddle only once." And she recited in a clear voice these words:
This bridge is built of pearls most fair,
High-arching over waters gray.
It rises swiftly in the air,
To the heavens it makes its way.
The tallest ships can pass below,
Yet of all burdens it is free.
Broad as this bridge may seem to grow,
When you draw near it still will flee.
Young Calaf's mind raced from image to image... A bridge built of pearls most fair... high-arching... tall ships can pass below... when you draw near it will flee... Suddenly he smiled and answered, "It arches over the sea, is built of pearls of water. Ships pass beneath it yet if you draw near, it fades away. The answer is - a rainbow!"
The answer is - a rainbow!"
The Princess shot a look to her father. The ruler coughed and said, "The rainbow is correct."
The crowd burst forth in a cheer, which was instantly silenced by the Emperor.
"Perhaps the first riddle is answered," said he stiffly. "There are two more. Daughter?"
The Princess turned to Calaf, "Listen again carefully. According to the rules, you may hear this one twice if you require:
What is that thing few value much,
And yet it graces any hand?
Formed to do hurt, its power is such
As, like the sword's, none can withstand.
It makes wounds, though no blood is shed.
Robs none, yet brings prosperity.
Through all the world its rule has spread,
Softening life's severity.
A feeling of panic raced through the young prince. It graces any hand?... its power is such none can withstand?... makes wounds though no blood is shed?... He had no idea. "If it may please the royal court, may I hear the riddle a second time?"
The Emperor snickered. "So I thought," he said. The Princess repeated the riddle.
Young Calaf's mind raced. In an instant, the answer washed over him.
Young Calaf's mind raced. In an instant, the answer washed over him.
He spoke thus: "Few appreciate it, yet it brings prosperity. It makes wounds without shedding any blood, and it improves life for us all. The answer must be - the plow!"
The Emperor said, "Harumph!"
The crowd was abuzz until the Emperor swiped the air with his royal hand, and all were instantly silenced.
"Father," said the Princess, "this is the first young man who has correctly answered two of your riddles."
"That may be true," said the Emperor, "but there are three riddles. You well know all three must be answered."
The Emperor turned to the young contender. "As you answered two of the riddles," he said, "I am prepared to make you an offer. If you try and fail the third riddle, you will need to face the consequences. Young man, what is your name?"
"I prefer to keep my name to myself, if you so allow, Your Majesty," said Calaf.
"Very well then, whoever you are, if you resign from this contest right now, I offer you a position as imperial counselor of state. Do you accept?"
"Your Majesty, indeed I am honored," said the Prince, bowing low. Then he added, "yet forgive me please should I decline. I am seeking the fortune offered as a prize for answering the three riddles."
"Well then," said the Emperor, "the last riddle you will not find so easy. As it is the third riddle, three times you may hear it, then you must answer. Daughter?" The Princess took a deep breath. She said this:
I know a picture fair to see,
A picture full of fire and light,
This picture changes constantly,
Yet it is ever fresh and bright.
A narrow frame contains it all,
Yet all great things that move the heart -
Although this picture is so small -
They reach us only by its art.
Fear washed over Prince Kalaf's body. A picture fair to see... full of fire and light... all great things reach us only by its art? He couldn't remember the middle part at all. None of it made any sense. "One more time, if you please," said he.
None of it made any sense.
Then Calaf asked for a third reading, which was granted. "You must have it memorized by now, clever young man," said the Emperor with a smile. "Now you must respond."
Indeed the young contender could repeat it by heart but what good did that do? Suddenly, he knew what the answer must be. With his heart pounding, he said this: "This picture changes in its bright, narrow frame. It moves the heart, and touches us with its art. I contend the answer is - the eye!"
The Emperor let out a gasp. Realizing the young man must have answered the third riddle correctly, the mandarins cheered, and at once the crowd exploded with joy and relief. Some in the crowd fainted and needed to be carried outside for fresh air. Trumpets, drumrolls, whistles - everything was pandemonium until the Emperor called: "Silence!" At once, an instant hush fell upon the crowd.
"You may have technically answered the three riddles," said the Emperor, "but you cannot imagine I would allow the Chinese royal fortune to fall to anyone who is not native to this land! For your prize, you may leave with your head in tact - be grateful for that, as that is more than anyone else has achieved."
"Father!" cried the Princess in dismay. "He answered the riddles. You set the rules. There must be some way we can maintain the rules that were set."
"Father!" cried the Princess in dismay.
"You surprise me, daughter," said the father, rubbing his chin. Then said, "I am going to make this an even more interesting afternoon." He turned to the young contender. "Your challenge is to pose a riddle of your own making to the Princess. If she cannot answer it, you will earn the prize in full. But if she answers your riddle correctly, you will leave with no prize other than your head in tact."
The crowd gasped, staring and pointing at the young man, in shock that it was now he who would have to come up with a new riddle, and one posed to the Princess, no less!
"Your Majesty," said young Calaf with a bow, "I agree to the challenge."
"As do I," said the Princess, her head high. "You should know," she said to the young stranger, "that in honor of my father the Emperor, I will try my utmost to answer your riddle correctly." She arched one eyebrow in the direction of her father and added, "no matter what I may think of this contest."
"In honor of my father the Emperor, I will try my utmost to answer your riddle correctly."
"Excellent!" said the Emperor, who was now excited by this turn of events. "Out with it then, young man."
Calaf cleared his throat. "Princess," he said, "tell me this: What is my name, and from what land do I come?"
Another murmur swept across the crowd. What was the name of this young man? Did anyone know?
"Very well, I will answer your riddle," said the Princess, her eyes steely. "Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" whispered the Prince. Yet he had to admire the clever turn of the Princess, as he had not specified a timeframe for her to make a response.
"You heard her!" thundered the Emperor. "Be here at noon tomorrow and we will settle this, once and for all."
Then Prince Calaf was led to a sumptuous guest room, where he was presented with a hearty meal and given silken pajamas in which to sleep.
The next morning, Calaf was escorted to the royal throne room. He could tell nothing from the Princess' fixed gaze, yet could not imagine how his identity could have been discovered.
He could tell nothing from the Princess' fixed gaze.
What he did not know was that the evening before, the Princess had instructed the court mandarins, attendants and her ladies in waiting to fan out to seek any information of disturbances in lands far away. Clearly, she reasoned, this was a youth of noble birth. Why else would a stranger arrive at their court seeking a fortune and ready to accept such stark consequences if he should fail, unless he were greatly in need of assistance? At last, one of her ladies in waiting returned with news. Her sister's husband, a soldier, knew of disturbances in faraway Astrakan and the disappearance of a young prince Calaf.
The Emperor addressed the court. "Good morning, all. Now we will come to an end of this affair." Turning to his daughter he said, "Either you know the answer to this young man's riddle, or you do not."
The Princess stepped forward. A hush swept the crowd. Said she in a clear voice: "You believe you appear before us as an ordinary man. Yet you were raised as no ordinary man but as Prince Calaf of Azkahtran!"
"But... how?" he could only stammer. "How?"
"But... how?" he could only stammer. "How?"
"She guessed it!" roared the Emperor in triumph. "You agreed to the rule! No prize for you. Now go!" Discouraged, Calaf turned to leave.
The trumpets started up and the crowd started to gather its things when the Princess raised her hand.
"Stop!" she cried. Immediately the music stopped and the crowd froze.
"This young man may be free to go," she said, stepping toward her father, "yet I invite him to stay. That is, father, if your offer of a royal position still holds."
"This whole affair continues to be most entertaining!" said the Emperor with a smile. "Yes, he would be welcome to stay at this court as offered before, if that what you wished."
The Princess smiled at Calaf. He felt awash with admiration for this resourceful, intelligent Princess who now warmly beckoned to him. He bowed. Yet as drawn as he was to the Princess, shouldn't he stay steadfast to his people, scattered as they were in defeat? Perhaps if he were to stay at court a short while he might discover a solution. "I am honored to accept, Your Majesty," he said, "if you would kindly accept my commission until spring."
Surprisingly, at that moment the Emperor sighed.
"Father, what is it?" said the Princess.
"Father, what is it?" said the Princess.
"I am reminded, my daughter," said he, "of the 99 unfortunates who came before and failed."
"Say no more, father!" said the Princess. "Indeed, all these contenders were put in chains and led to the place of execution, in fulfillment of royal command. However if by delivering these unfortunate young men to the place of execution you thought they were, in fact, beheaded, I must share with you that I gave instructions that upon reaching the place of execution their chains would be removed and they would be fed and made as comfortable as possible until the end of this contest."
"Daughter, you astound me!" cried the Emperor, delighted.
"And now they are all free men," said the Princess. At that moment, the golden double door opened and 99 young men poured into the room, pale perhaps but as healthy as could be expected. Shouts of joy rang out throughout the throne room. Prince Calaf was again awash with admiration, this time not only for the intelligence and resourcefulness of the Princess, but for her kindness and compassion.
But he could not dwell on that. Then an idea sprang to mind. "Your Majesty," said Calaf, "instead of the fortune, if you offered these 99 men the opportunity to serve as my soldiers to reclaim my homeland and the palace grounds for training, I would be content with that as my prize. You know my story now, that I must rescue my homeland from invaders."
But he could not dwell on that. Then an idea sprang to mind.
Now it was the Princess' turn to be impressed with the dedication and resilience of this young stranger.
The Emperor granted his request and every one of the 99 soldiers wanted to join the inspiring young commander and free his homeland of the evil Sultan. What's more, the Sultan raised hundreds of more soldiers. Over the next few months, while organizing and training his new army, the mutual admiration that Calaf and the Princess had shared during the contest blossomed into true love.
The wedding was the grandest affair the city had known in some years. The entire city was decorated with lanterns and banners, pavilions and memorial archways that marked the path the prince had taken to the imperial palace. Their wedding table was decorated with gold dragons and covered with a yellow tablecloth embroidered with dragons and inlaid with jewels. It is said that over 10,000 cartloads of rice fed the wedding guests.
After the wedding, Prince Calaf, now holding the rank of Crown Prince of China, led his new army back to his homeland to reclaim Aztrahhan from the invaders. There his Chinese warriors surprised and defeated the evil Sultan. The followers of the Sultan rejoiced to be freed of his wicked bonds, and welcomed their new young leader, as well as the scattered residents of Aztrakhan, who slowly returned home. Several months later, the residents of Aztrakhan welcomed their Queen, who arrived in grand style to rejoin her husband at his magnificent palace, and who held twin babies in her arms, the infant prince and princess.
Thus the young couple ruled Aztrakhan wisely and well, and lived happily ever after.
Wow, even i can’t solve those riddles, The story is good.