Once upon a time, and in a far away country, there lived a King who had three daughters. All were grown up, but their father was so fond of them that he could not bear to be parted from any of them, and so, when visiting princes came from other lands to ask the princesses in marriage, the sent them away, one after another.

The royal maidens were by no means content to remain thus unwed year after year, and so when one particularly handsome prince had also been sent away, they sent for their tutor for advice.

The tutor listened to their complaints: ' I will advise you what to do' he said to them. He went down the garden and presently returned with three enormous water melons. Giving one to each, he said' The King is now sitting alone on the Palace veranda, and has ordered a water melon to be brought to him. Each of you take one to him, and I am sure your natural resourcefulness will guide you as to how to proceed.'


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