24. A Woman Builds Her Home

A princess defied her father, claiming that a woman too is capable of providing for herself and her family, just like a man. In response, her father gave her to a poor boy, so that she could prove her claims. The girl told the boy that she was not going to marry him yet. Instead, she did embroidery and sent him to sell her work. While at work, the boy heard about an opportunity to become wealthy. The king had promised a reward for the person who would slay the wild beast that had blocked the local water sources. The princess sent the boy to fight the beast and the boy won. The boy and the princess became wealthy and built a palace. They invited the king—the girl’s father—for a feast. When he came, the girl revealed her identity and the father recognised his mistake. The two young people were married amidst great festivities.