39. When at the table the king and his council were not satisfied with the food, because there was no salt in it, the maiden was again summoned.
40. "I ordered you to cook because you were clever; but you took no care of the cooking. Why am I thus insulted and my honor destroyed before my guests?"
41. The maiden at once returned answer to the council and to his Majesty: "Look underneath the plates; and if there is not the necessary salt, my lord, condemn me as you see fit."
42. She had those near the king lift their plates, and she had him look under. The salt was found not lacking, and the king ceased from his contention and thought about the matter.
43. Then he said, "If you had mixed in a little with the food, then it would have been good and palatable. Explain to me the significance of your act."
44. "O great king!" answered the maiden, "I can easily reply to your question. By leaving the salt out, I meant me, and no one else [i.e., she meant to suggest her own case when she was in the well].
45. "You instructed me to get fire from the mountain. Why can you not taste this salt, which is just under the plate?
46. "Because I am an unfortunate person, an unworthy shepherdess from the woods. If I were a city-bred person, even though most ordinary, I should be honored in your presence."
47. To the reply of the girl the king shook his head, and pressed his forehead (in thought). He had fallen in love, and his heart was oppressed. He determined to marry her.
48. They were married at once, and at once she was clothed as a queen; although she was only a lowly shepherdess, she was loved because of the sweetness of her voice.
49. After living together a long time, they had a quarrel: the king had conceived a dislike for her cleverness.
50. "Return at once to your father and mother," he said. "Go back to the mountains and live there.
51. "I will allow you to take with you whatever you want,--gold, silver, dresses. Take with you also two maids."
52. The queen could not utter a word; silently she let her tears fall. She thought that bad fortune had come upon her.
53. To be brief, the king got up from his chair and lay down in his bed. He pretended to go to sleep in order that he might not see the queen depart.