The Three Brides

There once were three maidens with a great bond,

Though rags were all they ever donned.

They had no money for even the smallest thing,

But their beauty attracted a nearby king.

It was unclear whose beauty was the best,

So the king had his men arrange a grand test.

He brought forth the royal seamstress,

And instructed her to make all three a fine dress.

The design for each of them to decide,

Each to make a dress fit for a bride.

Which ever of them had the greatest gown,

Through marriage to him, they'd gain a crown.

The maidens all disgusted with his contest,

For they were so much more than his royal conquest.

They quickly put a scheme together,

For other than beauty they had a brain quite clever.

The maidens went down to the king with a request,

They feared that winning would cause the others to protest.

So they begged the king to announce in front of all,

That the one with the best gown is wed by nightfall.

The King did so and the maidens rushed off with great haste,

To pull off their plan, not a second they could waste.

Three veiled figures stepped out in front of all to be seen,

The king knew at once which one to make his queen.

The ones on the sides were pretty, yet quite bare,

However, next to the middle they couldn't compare.

The middle gown's superiority was thoroughly clear,

So the king quickly announced his bride with great cheer.

But when he came to lift the veil from her head,

He found an old beggar in the maiden's stead.

Of the contest, the whole kingdom had heard,

So the vain king was forced to keep his word.

The beggar and king were married by nightfall,

Trapped by his word, the king could not stall.

The beggar now wealthy for the rest of her days,

Made sure the three maidens would be cared for always.