Many princes came to win Princess Marina’s hand and quarrelled among themselves. Finally, they decided that they would play a game of cards and whoever won the game would marry the Princess Marina. When the princess heard this, she was furious. She announced that she wouldn’t marry any of the princes. She would only marry a sensible and kind man whom she would find on her own! One day, she saw a gardener working in the palace after a storm. He tied up broken plants, cleared fallen branches, and picked up the injured squirrel and looked after it. He buried some dead birds. Impressed by his hard work and kindness, she went over to him and speak to him. He was Robert and had come from another kingdom to seek work. Princess Marina liked him very much. After they were married, she learnt that he was really a prince, who had loved her for a long time!
A Game of Cards
