Long ago, in a kingdom in Norway, there lived a king who had a daughter renowned not only for her beauty but also for her sharp mind and endless curiosity. The princess constantly asked challenging questions that no man in the kingdom could answer satisfactorily. Her father, seeking a worthy husband for his extraordinary daughter, announced a bold challenge. He declared that he would marry his daughter to any man who could either silence the princess with his answer or tell a story that never ended. The stakes were high. Anyone who failed would have their possessions confiscated and be banished from the kingdom.
%20and%20the%20King%E2%80%99s%20Daughter.png "The Ash Lad (Askeladden) and the King’s Daughter")
In a humble village, three brothers named Per, Pål, and Espen Askeladden, also known as Espen the Ash Lad, lived a simple life. Per and Pål, the elder brothers, believed themselves wise and capable, so they prepared diligently for the journey. They brought books, notes, and memorized clever answers. Espen, the youngest, remained by the fireplace, playing with ashes, earning the nickname "The Ash Lad." His brothers mocked him. “Do not even dream of it, Ash Lad. The princess’s questions are not meant for fools like you.” Yet Espen was determined and quietly set out on his journey.
Along the way, Per and Pål focused entirely on their studies, ignoring everything else. Per passed an elderly man carrying firewood and refused to help. Pål came across a blocked stream and chose to leave it, claiming he had more important matters at hand. Espen, however, quietly assisted anyone in need. He helped the elderly man with his firewood, cleaned the blocked stream, and along the way collected objects others would have discarded: a smooth stone, an old goat horn, and a warped plank of wood. When he arrived in the city, his brothers laughed at his odd collection. “Look at him, carrying stones and a goat horn! How will this make the princess laugh?”
The two elder brothers attempted the challenge first. Each entered the palace hall, confident in their knowledge. The princess asked them difficult questions about philosophy, history, and science. While their answers were clever, they lacked depth and originality. The princess easily countered them, leaving both men silent and ultimately banished from the kingdom, their belongings confiscated.
Finally, it was Espen Askeladden’s turn. He entered the hall wearing simple clothes, carrying his seemingly useless items. The princess eyed him with skepticism but asked, “Do you have anything special to offer, Ash Lad?” Espen answered with humility and insight. “Your Highness, my brothers only see what they want to see, but I notice what has been forgotten.” Intrigued, the princess posed another challenging question: “What is the most valuable thing in the world?” Instead of offering an abstract answer, Espen picked up the smooth stone he had found and said, “For a traveler dying of thirst in the desert, water is the most valuable. To reach it, one must overcome many obstacles. This stone, seemingly useless, has guided the water over the years. True value lies not in what is seen, but in what enables all good things.” The princess was momentarily silent, impressed by his perspective.
The final challenge was to tell a story that never ended. Espen took out the goat horn and warped plank and began his tale: “Once upon a time, there was a vast field of corn so large that, compared to the kingdom, it was but a tiny speck. A single small bird was tasked with carrying each grain into a giant barn. The bird would pick up a grain, fly to the barn, and drop it in. Then it would…” Espen repeated the same sequence endlessly, mimicking the bird picking grains and flying back, over and over. Days passed, the princess grew confused, then frustrated, but Espen remained steadfast, continuing the endless story. Eventually, the princess could no longer bear the repetition. She slammed her hand on the table and exclaimed, “Enough! I admit it. This story never ends!”
Her declaration marked the end of the challenge. Espen had successfully silenced the princess and proved himself worthy. The king was overjoyed. Despite being a humble, underestimated Ash Lad, Espen married the princess. He demonstrated that true wisdom comes not from books or appearances, but from observation, humility, and practical intelligence. The couple lived happily, and Espen eventually became a beloved king, ruling with simplicity, intelligence, and fairness.