Some time passed by. The Prince attained to man’s estate, and began to think about getting married. So one day he went to his tutor and said:
“Katoma, I’m tired of living alone, I want to marry.”
“Well, Prince! what’s to prevent you? you’re of an age at which it’s time to think about a bride. Go into the great hall. There’s a collection there of the portraits of all the princesses in the world; look at them and choose for yourself; whichever pleases you, to her send a proposal of marriage.”
Prince Ivan went into the great hall, and began examining the portraits. And the one that pleased him best was that of the Princess Anna the Fair—such a beauty! the like of her wasn’t to be found in the whole world! Underneath her portrait were written these words:
“If any one asks her a riddle, and she does not guess it, him shall she marry; but he whose riddle she guesses shall have his head chopped off.”
Prince Ivan read this inscription, became greatly afflicted, and went off to his tutor.
“I’ve been in the great hall,” says he, “and I picked out for my bride Anna the Fair; only I don’t know whether it’s possible to win her.”
“Yes, Prince; she’s hard to get. If you go alone, you won’t win her anyhow. But if you will take me with you, and if you will do what I tell you, perhaps the affair can be managed.”
Prince Ivan begged Katoma to go with him, and gave his word of honor to obey him whether in joy or grief.
Well, they got ready for the journey and set off to sue for the hand of the Princess Anna the Fair. They travelled for one year, two years, three years, and traversed many countries. Says Prince Ivan—