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Like the salt in the food... 

Romanian folk tale, collected by Petre Ispirescu 

Once upon a time, there was a king. The king had 3 daughters. Not having a wife, he gave all of his love to his daughters. Seeing the dedication that their parent puts into taking care of them, teaching them to defend against any danger and haunting, the girls are trying their best to make him forget about the sadness that got him because of the death of the girls’ mother.

 In another day, something comes to the king’s mind, so he asks the oldest daughter: 

- My daughter, how much do you love me? 

- How much should I love you, dad? Well, I love you like honey”, she said, after thinking that there’s no other sweeter thing in the world. That’s how she thought, that’s what she said. 

- Live long, my daughter; may God bless you. And he asked the second oldest girl: 

- But you, how much do you love me, my daughter? 

- Like sugar, dad! That’s how she thought, that’s what she said. 

- May God bless you. I’ll be happy thanks to you. 

It seemed those girls were flattery and they knew how to show their love to their father more than they had. 

The emperor was very happy when he heard from his eldest daughters how much they loved him. He admitted that there weren’t any love as sweet as honey and sugar. And looking at the youngest girl, who sat timidly next to him he asked her: How do you love me my girl? 

- I love you like salt in the meal, father! 

She answered with a serene face smiling with natural love and leaving her eyes down, ashamed that she had spoken too. Unfortunately, she was ashamed, seeing that her father paid attention to her, too. When her sisters heard her answer, they started laughing. Their father frowned, and said: 

- Come here, you fool. Did you not hear from your older sisters what kind of love they have for me? Why didn’t you follow them and tell me how sweet your love is too? For this did I struggle to raise you and give you an education so no one would be like you? Leave my house at once! When the king’s youngest daughter heard her father’s wrath falling on her head, she took courage and said: 

- Forgive me, father, for I did not mean to offend you. I thought that the love I have for you is, if not greater than that of my sisters, yet not less than honey and sugar… 

- Leave my house, and don’t let me hear your name again! 

He left her speechless, drowning in her own tears. The sisters wanted to comfort her, but with words that did her more harm than good. Seeing that even her sisters won’t spare her, she put all her trust in God and decided to go wherever God’s mercy guided her. She grabbed some old clothes, and left her father’s house with sadness in her heart and tears in her eyes. After a long journey, wandering from village to village, she reached the castle of another king. 

THE ENDINGS CREATED BY THE STUDENTS. 

Greek ending 

Hoping she could find shelter there, she immediately asked to talk to the king. She tried to explain what had happened with her father and that she didn’t mean to offend him. She requested to stay there for a few days but the king told her to leave straight away. As she was leaving, the prince showed up and he introduced himself. The young girl told him about the argument with her father and what had happened with the king and he immediately went to talk to his father so she could stay there for some time. Meanwhile, the two young people fell in love. It was love at first sight. A few days later, the prince decided to confess his feelings to the girl. They went on their first date and after that, they decided to get married.  After the marriage, they decided to leave the castle and travel the world together. In the end, they lived happily ever after.

Lithuanian ending 

The youngest daughter walked alone until she reached a quiet village hidden deep in the mountains. The people were kind and curious and offered her a shelter. She stayed there, helped sick people and worked in the gardens. Years passed and her father's kingdom fell into a chaos. His older daughters argued continuously and peolple of the kingdom suffered a  lot. One day after hearing rumours about a healer in a peaceful village, the old king arrived searching for help. He didn't recognise his daughter, but she did. 

• Do you need help? - she asked.

He looked into her eyes and said: 

• Forgive me please. 

She forgave him without any anger. He lived in the village and she welcomed him. They reunited and lived happily sharing love and kindness.