For many months he rode. Upon reaching the sea, he sold his horse to pay for passage on a ship. After landing, he walked for many days until he finally reached the city ruled by the far-famed king and his daughter. The khan's clothes were worn out, his shirt was tattered, and his boots were broken: tired and emaciated from the journey, the khan looked like a beggar and a vagabond. Nevertheless, he made his way directly to the palace and said:
— I need the king and his daughter!
Polite horsemen led him to a richly decorated room, washed him, fed him, and dressed him in fine clothes. All this was done with a courteous and respectful warning. Then they brought him into the hall, where a girl of astonishing beauty sat on a golden throne and was conducting state affairs. Upon seeing the guest, she excused herself to her viziers and addressed the khan with a voice as tinkling as a crystal stream:
— We are listening to you, dear vizier, tell us what brought you here?
And the khan began to tell his story of how he had gone hungry on the way, endured hardships from heat and cold, suffered from thirst and fatigue, escaped from predatory beasts and various natural disasters, and how, upon hearing of her, he lost his peace and sleep, coming to her to ask for her hand, for having fallen in love with her image, he now sees with his own eyes that she is a thousand times more beautiful, kinder, and more charming.
The princess listened attentively to the khan and smiled gently:
— You have come from afar for me. Dear one, I agree to marry you. But we will talk about this later. Right now, you are very tired from the journey. Stay with us for a few days, recover from so many hardships, and rest. Then we will, as is customary, discuss all our matters, consult with my father, and somehow resolve this issue.
The khan stayed for a whole week in magnificent quarters. Every day he went to the bathhouse, changed clothes, one better than the other, ate unseen delicious dishes, and when the time came, he was invited to a council with the king and the princess. They talked about this and that, and then the king said:
— Well, dear, if you have come to us from your distant land, having fallen in love with my daughter, I am not against your union. My daughter is also ready to marry you. But before the wedding, I would like you to fulfill one request of mine. On the other side of the sea, where the narrow bay is, lives a king much richer, wiser, and more generous than I. His son, on every market day, rides out into the street on his red yak. The people around are full of joy, bustling about, busy with their affairs. Some are trading, some are buying, while he stops aside and begins to cry as he speaks of his cherished wish. People listen to him, but cannot understand... We know that if an ordinary person is happy, then the joy of a royal son is a hundred times greater. So why does the prince cry? What secret dream does he mourn? That is what I would like to know. And if you reveal this secret to me, please take my daughter as your wife and go your way wherever your heart desires.
There was nothing to be done: the king's wish is law. The princess herself prepared the khan for the journey, gave him money enough for the round trip, saw him to the seashore, and seated him on the ship.
A Tale of Generosity That Knows No Bounds. Part 1
