In a faraway kingdom, in a distant land, there lived a king. He had ruled for many years, but age is a funny thing—you can't run away from it. And on the eve of his birthday, he decided to act wisely and announced his decision to his three daughters.
My dear daughters, my precious ones. As you know, my birthday is coming soon. And I want to announce this: whoever brings me the most delicious and finest pie will inherit the throne with her husband.
Upon hearing this news, the first daughter rushed to a foreign pastry chef. She gave him her tiara, nearly fell at his feet, and begged him to make a pie, promising to reward him royally afterwards.
The second daughter sent messengers to all corners of the land to bring back exotic sweets and fruits. She ordered the servants to prepare the dough, gathered all the berries, and began giving commands.
As for what the youngest did—no one knew. But for three days and three nights she didn't leave the house, and in the twilight she burned many candles...
The king's birthday arrived. The eldest daughter brought him a pie, and no ordinary one. The pastry had been crafted in France, the filling specially imported from across the seas. And it was decorated so beautifully—the moulding on the palace walls wasn't nearly as bright.
The middle daughter also distinguished herself. Her pie looked plain on the outside, but inside—exotic fruits and sweets unfamiliar to Canadians. Condensed milk and syrup flowed like rivers—you just had to open your mouth.
But the youngest came empty-handed, and dirty too—her face covered in soot and ash. The king grew angry.
Don't you respect me? You didn't even bring your own father a simple pie.
"Don't be angry, Father. I thought to myself, what haven't we seen in those pies? We'll eat them once and forget about them. But I did something better—I baked many pies and gave them to the poor townsfolk. They'll eat them and praise your name for a long time to come."
The king fell silent. He thought for a long time and realized that his youngest daughter had done the right thing—she had pleased her father and helped the poor.
And so he made her the crown princess. And the kingdom prospered for many long years.
