Once upon a time there was a king who had three daughters. As the king grew older, every now and then he thought about the future. He didn't want to split his land into three parts because he did not think this was right for the people. After thinking about it for a long time, he one day called his daughters. He said: 'Listen! I am growing older and one day I will die. For the country and its people it is better if the land is not divided into three parts. But I love you all equally and I cannot choose between the three of you. So I have thought out the following. I will ask you a question; you have two weeks to think it over and present your answer. After that I will make a choice. My question is: What is the best for the people; what do they need to be happy?' The daughters went away, pondering the question.

After two weeks the king sat on his throne and called his daughters. First came the oldest, who brought valuable rolls of cloth, gems and money. She said: 'The people need wealth and prosperity to be happy.' The king nodded approvingly and beckoned the middle daughter forward. She came forward with a young and imposing general and said: 'Father, the people need security and strong borders, guarded by soldiers.' She looked admiringly at the general. The king said ‘Hmmm’ with an indulgent smile and called his youngest daughter. She stepped forward with a wooden plate with a small mountain of salt. To the surprised king she said: 'Father, the people need to pay attention to everyday things: wood to keep their ovens going and…' 'Enough!!!', the king shouted angrily, 'How dare you come up with something so futile?' He took the plate and smashed it on the ground. Out!!!,' he roared furiously, 'I never want to see you again.' Broken-hearted his youngest daughter turned around and left the palace. The king told his other daughters he had to think about their answers and that he would announce his choice later.

The youngest daughter walked away from the castle. She was not the person to dejectedly hang down her head. Along the way she met a young farmer's daughter who was about her size. She proposed exchanging clothes with her. The farmer's daughter thought it would be wonderful to have such beautiful clothes so she eagerly said yes. Behind a bush they quickly exchanged each others clothes. The farmer's daughter jumped for joy. The king's daughter turned around and went back to the palace in her farmers clothes. She knocked at the back door and asked if they could use a hand in the kitchen. In such a big palace a few extra hands were always welcome and thus the princess started as youngest kitchen maid. She worked hard and did her duties so well that she got more and more responsibilities. After a while she even became the assistant of the chief cook. She prepared the most delicious soups and baked bread and cakes of all kinds.

Meanwhile the middle daughter had fallen in love head over heels with the young general and he with her. It did not take long for the general to ask the king for the hand of his daughter. The king agreed and so there was to be a beautiful wedding with lots of guests. The highlight was to be the wedding banquet. At the wedding the guests sang and danced but of course there also was a lot to eat. A delicious soup was served with wonderfully smelling bread. The king could not resist the temptation to taste a little piece of bread beforehand. He took a bite and…. 'Jagg, this bread does not taste good at all! Who made this?' The chief cook was summoned immediately. He was shaking with fear. 'Sire, I don't know how this has happened. My best assistant baked this bread.' 'Fetch her!', the king roared. And so the assistant, who was actually the youngest princess, was brought before the king. Angrily the king asked why the bread was so tasteless. The princes stood before the king fearlessly and said: 'Sire, attention to everyday things such as the salt in bread is supposed to be something inane, isn't it?' Suddenly the king recognized his youngest daughter and he was touched by her courage and wisdom. He chose her to be his successor, but she, with all her wisdom, said that she would reign the country in good harmony with her sisters. And so it happened. When the old king died, the youngest princess ruled the country together with her sisters and the people lived happy and in prosperity. They loved the princesses, but the youngest had a special place in their hearts because she cared for everyday life.

Do not forget to spice your everyday life with the salt of attention, then you will have a tasty life!

Jishin Hendriks, February 2002