Set a Purpose

Find out if the first riddlers beat the princess in the contest of riddles.

SCENE 2. Three months later. The KING is on his royal throne. The QUEEN is beside him. The PRINCESS is seated in a chair below them. Two RIDDLERS are standing to the side. The villagers look on.

CHORUS. [enter dancing and singing to the contestants]

Let us sing, rejoice, and be glad.

The contest of riddles is about to begin.

Let us sing, rejoice, and be glad.

Here are the rules, so listen, listen.

Let us sing, rejoice, and be glad.

Each contestant gives a riddle.

The princess gives one back.

Giving,

Getting,

Until one wins.

[The CHORUS sits around the PRINCESS. RIDDLER 1 stands before the PRINCESS. He bows.]

RIDDLER 1. I asked the wisest men in my village to help me find a riddle that even a princess as smart as you would not be able to interpret.

PRINCESS. I am excited to hear it. Please share it with me.

RIDDLER 1. [begins the riddle] My life is spent coming and going from left to right and back again, from left to right and back again.

PRINCESS. That is a good riddle, but I know it. It is a weaver at his loom. He makes cloth by weaving yarn from left to right. Now here is my riddle for you:

Over water.

Under water.

But it does not touch water.

RIDDLER 1. [looks at her blankly] I have no idea. [RIDDLER 1 leaves, disappointed.]