”The salt in your food” is a Romanian fairytale (”Sarea în Bucate”) collected by Petre Ispirescu.

The 4th grade pupils have illustrated this fairytale trying to make it known to children from other countries.

We hope you will love it!

Teacher: Iulia Cernat

Once upon a time there was an emperor who had three daughters, whom he loved very much. After his wife died, he took a great interest in his daughters’ education and granted their every wish. He bought his daughters the most beautiful dresses, the most expensive jewels and the most wonderful books. His daughters loved their father more than anything else.

One day the emperor asked his eldest daughter how much she loved him.

“I love you like honey,” replied his eldest daughter.

Her father was pleased with her reply and asked his middle daughter.

“I love you like sugar,” she replied.

The emperor was touched by so much love.

He then asked his youngest daughter.

“And my little one, how much do you love me?”

“I love you like the salt in your food, father,” replied his youngest daughter.

Her sisters started to laugh at her. The emperor was furious.

“What kind of answer is that? Leave my house at once!”

The youngest daughter was not allowed to give any explanation and was exiled. Her sisters laughed at her stupidity and were pleased that she was leaving because they did not really love her dearly. The youngest daughter dressed herself in some simple clothes. She left with sadness in her heart and tears in her eyes.

After a long journey, she reached the palace of another emperor and found work as a servant. She was so hard-working and skilful that before long everyone adored her. She could cook the finest dishes and could make any object shine. The empress heard of this clever servant girl and called her to her. After they had spoken a little, they became inseparable. 

The emperor had to leave for war, taking with him his son. 

The prince was wounded, and the emperor and the empress were distraught. The empress did not leave his side day or night. And the empress’s servant girl stayed with them. She took such good care of the prince: the very touch of her delicate hands could soothe any pain.

When he had recovered, the prince went to empress and told her that he wanted to marry. The empress was delighted and asked him if he wanted to marry someone in particular. The prince told her that he wanted to marry the servant girl who had tended to him while he was ill because he did not know a more beautiful or more obedient girl.