er to his jesting reply. Some time later
the king held some games, and ordered that the maiden be taken out
of the well.

36. The king told her that she was pardoned for all her offences. "But
as long as I have visitors (?)," he said, "you are to be my cook."

37. Then this order was given to the girl: "You are to cook the
food. Everything must be well prepared. All the food must be palatable
and tasty."

38. The maiden, however, deliberately left all the food unsalted;
but she fastened to the bottom of the plate the necessary salt.

39. When at the table the king and his council were not satisfied
with the food, because there was no salt in it, the maiden was again
summoned.

40. "I ordered you to cook because you were clever; but you took no
care of the cooking. Why am I thus insulted and my honor destroyed
before my guests?"

41. The maiden at once returned answer to the council and to his
Majesty: "Look underneath the plates; and if there is not the necessary
salt, my lord, condemn me as you see fit."

42. She had those near the king lift their plates, and she had him
look under. The salt was found not lacking, and the king ceased from
his contention and thought about the matter.

43. Then he said, "If you had mixed in a little with the food, then
it would have been good and palatable. Explain to me the significance
of your act."

44. "O great king!" answered the maiden, "I can easily reply to your
question. By leaving the salt out, I meant me, and no one else [i.e.,
she meant to suggest her own case when she was in the well].

45. "You instructed me to get fire from the mountain. Why can you
not taste this salt, which is just under the plate?

46. "Because I am an unfortunate person, an unworthy shepherdess from
the woods. If I were a city-bred person, even though most ordinary,
I should be honored in your presence."

47. To the reply of the girl the king shook his head, and pressed
his forehead (in thought). He had fallen in love, and his heart was
oppressed. He determined to marry her.

48. They were married at once, and at once she was clothed as a queen;
although she was only a lowly shepherdess, she was loved because of
the sweetness of her voice.

49. After living together a long time, they had a quarrel: the king
had conceived a dislike for her cleverness.

50. "Return at once to your father and mother," he said. "Go back to
the mountains and live there.

51. "I will allow you to take w