Princess Altamira was very ugly, but her father, the King of Alcantara, and his flattering courtiers praised her so much that she believed she was beautiful. The King had invited Prince Alanbam to marry the Princess. To welcome him, the whole city was decorated, bands played martial music, crowds gathered in the streets. The court was full and even people like the royal barber, the royal cobbler and the royal executioner were present. The King watched Prince Alanbam at the head of his troop of soldiers and attendants coming towards the place where a reception had been arranged for him. A throne had been placed next to the Princess for the Prince. However, when the Prince saw her, he was amazed, for she was not at all like her description, which said she was beautiful! He made an excuse not to sit on the throne beside her, saying he was very shy.
The Tournament
Prince Alanbam suggested that a hundred noble knights should have a tournament. “I too shall be one of the knights,” he added, “Whoever survives shall marry the Princess!” The King ordered the tournament to be arranged. Two rows of fifty knights lined up on opposite sides, Prince Alanbam joining one side. Since they didn’t wish to marry the Princess, they all charged at each other but no one was injured. The King got irritated and said, “Let the first one who is injured marry the Princess!” This caused confusion as horses charged and knights attacked one another. Many were injured, but no one knew who was injured first! The Princess was so upset that she decided to go away where no one would see her. Just then, the handsome but blind fiddler, Felisberto, came and offered to marry her, for it didn’t matter to him if she was beautiful or ugly! Felisberto became the heir!
