The Magic Mirror

IT WAS PROCLAIMED throughout the kingdom of Granada that the king had decided to marry. First, the news was first told to the court barber, then to the night watchmen, and then to the oldest women in the city. The barber told all his customers, who again told all their friends. The night watchmen, in crying the hour, proclaimed the news in a loud voice, so that all the maidens were kept awake by thinking of the news. By day, the old women constantly reminded the young that the king had decided to marry. The question was posed, "How will the king choose a wife?" To which the barber replied: "To find a worthy woman, I am afraid I shall have great trouble." "What, you?" exclaimed all of them. "What have you got to do with providing the king with a wife?" "I am the only man permitted to rub the royal features," said he. "And what's more, I have a magic mirror. If any woman who is not thoroughly good looks into the mirror, the blemishes on her character will appear as so many spots on its glossy surface."