“Tsarévich,” Katomá replied, “you are of the age at which you ought to look for a bride: go into the great hall, where you will see pictures of all the Korolévny 59 and Tsarévny in the world. Gaze on them carefully, and select for yourself a bride, one who pleases you, and you shall marry her.”

Iván Tsarévich went into the great hall, looked at the pictures, and he was most delighted with Ánna the Fair. She was so fair that she was fairer than any princess in the world. But under her portrait there was a legend: “ He who can set her a riddle she cannot solve is to marry her. Anyone whose riddle she solves dies. ”

Iván Tsarévich read the legend, and was very sad. He went up to Katomá and said: “I was in the great hall, and I selected as my bride Ánna the Fair: but I do not know whether I can woo her.”