An ancient and beloved Hungarian folktale is the story of King Matthias and the Clever Girl. According to the story, King Matthias the Just, who often wandered about Hungary in disguise to see how the plain folk were living, was insulted by a village alderman. Matthias, upon his return to court, decreed that the alderman should be hanged. The alderman’s daughter begged the King to reconsider: Matthias then decreed that he would pardon the alderman, if the daughter could perform a number of impossible tasks. The final task that the King set for the girl was to visit him at the Royal Court – but not in any ordinary way. King Matthias decreed that the girl must not travel on foot, neither riding an animal, nor riding a carriage; that she should be dressed up but at the same time come naked; and that she should bring a gift, but also not bring any gift at the same time.
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