Taste of salt

There was a king who liked praises and nothing else. Even if he falters he wanted it to be seen as a trivial error. People praised him so much to get honours and positions.

This king had three daughters. One day he called the eldest daughter and said, "You know all people love me so much. They praise me all the time. But I'm not sure about your love for me. So tell me how much you love me."

"Father I love you so much. It's like the vast sky, so valuable like pure gold."

The king was elated and wanted to know about the second daughter.

"You are the greatest father on Earth. I feel so happy to be your second daughter. My love to you is like vast ocean and the greatest treasure stones embedded in the ocean bed."

The king was overjoyed, and turned to the youngest. The youngest was a soft-spoken intelligent daughter. She pondered for a while and responded.

"I love you just like a daughter does to a father."

The king was not happy at this remark. He did not show a frowned face, but wanted to know more.

"I love you as much as I love salt."

"What do you mean?" The king was really annoyed.

"I mean what I have said." The youngest replied to increase the king's irritation. "Salt is cheap, you can get it anywhere. And you are comparing your love to salt. It's such an insult!"

"No I'm not."

The king did not look at her. "Dear father that is the best way I can express my love for you."

The king would not listen to her.

You don't seem to have any love for me, was the king's verdict.

What happened next?

The two elder daughters were married off to rich kings of neighbouring countries. And the king was deliberately delaying the youngest one's marriage.

The queen was quite concerned about this delay. The king eventually selected someone interested in the youngest daughter.

It so happened when a common man visited the king one day. He looked like a beggar. The king asked him if he likes to marry his youngest daughter.

"I don't mind," said the poor man.

"Have you got a job?"

"Not in particular. But I am trying to earn a living."

The king married off the youngest to the poor man. Surprisingly the daughter didn't mind that. She looked at the poor man's face and agreed to go with him. She knew this was the punishment that awaited her.

The new couple had to struggle hard. The princess faced every challenge with a brave heart. One day she wanted to know what her husband's actual skills.

"I'm a farmer. But I don't have a land."

"Let's find one."

Then they found a barren land, which they cultivated. The princess could see her husband was clever and hardworking. In the end they had an extraordinary harvest, which brought them fame in the region. The news was spreading even in the palace. The king suddenly grew an interest to meet this couple.

The couple, without revealing their identity, invited the king to dine with them. The king visited the farmer couple with his retinue. There was a special table reserved only for the king.

Lady of the house noticed the disgust in the king's face as he ate.

"Don't you like our food, Great Majesty?"

"This food has no salt. So it doesn't taste good."

The king's tone had a complaining air.

"So you see the value of salt, don't you?"

The response took some time to strike king's mind. He suddenly remembered something. The lady of the house, right at the moment, took out the veil off her face.

"Oh it's you, my youngest daughter," saying so, a surprised king embraced his daughter.

"Forgive me dear. Now I know how much you love me."