So he ordered the merchants to be brought before him, and when
they came he said: 'You have travelled much and visited many
wonders. I wish to ask you a question, and I beg you to answer
truthfully.

'Have you anywhere seen or heard of the daughter of an emperor,
king, or a prince, who is as clever and as handsome as I am, and
who would be worthy to be my wife and the queen of my country?'

The merchants considered for some time. At last the eldest of them
said: 'I have heard that across many seas, in the Island of Busan,
there is a mighty king, whose daughter, the Princess Helena, is so
lovely that she can certainly not be plainer than your Majesty, and
so clever that the wisest greybeard cannot guess her riddles.'

'Is the island far off, and which is the way to it?'

'It is not near,' was the answer. 'The journey would take ten years,
and we do not know the way. And even if we did, what use would
that be? The princess is no bride for you.'

'How dare you say so?' cried the king angrily.

'Your Majesty must pardon us; but just think for a moment. Should
you send an envoy to the island he will take ten years to get there
and ten more to return--twenty years in all. Will not the princess
have grown old in that time and have lost all her beauty?'

The king reflected gravely. Then he thanked the merchants, gave