when the queen was alone, she began to weep bitterly, and said, "of what use to me are the splendours and honours with which i am surrounded; every morning i awake in pain and sorrow. i had three daughters, the youngest of whom was so beautiful that the whole world looked on her as a wonder. she was as white as snow, as rosy as apple-blossom, and her hair as radiant as sun-beams. when she cried, not tears fell from her eyes, but pearls and jewels only. when she was fifteen years old, the king summoned all three sisters to come before his throne. you should have seen how all the people gazed when the youngest entered, it was just as if the sun were rising! then the king spoke, "my daughters, i know not when my last day may arrive; i will to-day decide what each shall receive at my death. you all love me, but the one of you who loves me best, shall fare the best." each of them said she loved him best. "can you not express to me," said the king, "how much you do love me, and thus i shall see what you mean?" the eldest spoke. "i love my father as dearly as the sweetest sugar." the second, "i love my father as dearly as my prettiest dress." but the youngest was silent. then the father said, "and thou, my dearest child, how much dost thou love me?" "i do not know, and can compare my love with nothing." but her father insisted that she should name something.