The Prince's profession

Once upon a time there was a king who had an only son.When the prince came of age,the queen and king started looking for a wife.However,every time they introduced a princess to him he would ask her three questions:

What is beauty?What is the best fortune?And what is the best state of being?

Every princess used to answer:beauty is in the face,the best fortune is in the palaces and the best state of being is in all-night parties.After hearing these answers he would refuse to marry he princess.

Therefore,he decided to look for a wife himself,and the king and queen agreed. The prince rode out alone, heading towards he villages of the kingdom, until he reached a small village and met a young girl.He stopped her and asked:What is beauty, young lady?She answered:"beauty is in the souls of men and women."
-And what is the best fortune?
-The best fortune is in being content.
-And what is the best state of being?
-It is in he beauty of articulation.
He liked her answers and her beauty so he asked her:"Will you marry me?"
She asked:"what is your profession?"
He said:"I have none,I am a prince and a king's son."
"It doesn't matter,"she retorted," you must have a profession."

The prince left her and returned home determined to learn a profession.He went to the market and looked around until he decided to learn how to weave carpets.He became the apprentice of an excellent craftsman and learnt the trade within two months.

He went back to the girl and told her of his achievement and she accepted his marriage proposal,and they lived in happiness. Months after the wedding, the prince went out hunting with his entourage.

Unfortunately,he strayed away from the group as he was chasing a deer and was caught by a gang of thieves who took him to their cave and considered killing him. He told hem that he can make high quality carpets that they can sell,so they brought him he threads and tools and he wove a beautiful carpet and told them to sell it to the princess who is the only one who can afford its price.

Two thieves carried the carpet to the castle and showed it to he princess.She perused it and realized that it was made by the prince.She bought it and paid the asked price,and sent guards to follow them to heir dwelling.The guards caught the thieves and found the prince who returned home safely and they lived happily ever after.

Source:Rushdi al Ashhab,folkloric stories from Palestine,Jerusalem:The Arab Studies Society 1987.