A Harbor Seal Puppy Grows Up s2

One Riddle, One Answer “My youngest son is very clever,” said By Lauren Thompson another. Illustrated by Linda S. Wingerter It seemed that all of the sultan’s advisors had only their own sons to ong ago in Persia, there lived a powerful L recommend. The sultan was angry. sultan. He had many sons, but only one “You have advised enough!” cried the daughter, named Aziza, and he wished for sultan, and he sent his advisors away. her a wise and happy life. The finest tutors Then Aziza went to the sultan. in the land were brought to the palace, and “Father,” she said, “perhaps there is a Aziza learned all there was to know. But better way to choose whom I shall marry.” her favorite subject was numbers. And her The sultan knew his daughter was wise favorite game was riddles. and good, and above all he wished her to be happy. “Tell me your plan,” he said. The time came for Aziza to marry. The “Let me pose a riddle,” said Aziza. “The sultan began to seek a suitable husband riddle has but one true answer. Whoever for her. can answer the riddle will be the one I “Who in the land is most worthy of her would be happiest to marry.” hand?” the sultan asked his advisors. “A riddle?” asked the sultan. “My eldest son is very handsome, your “Yes,” said Aziza. “Here it is.” honor,” said one advisor.

1 Placed above, it makes great things one will win the hand of the sultan’s small. Placed beside, it makes small daughter!” things greater. In matters that count, it Every place they stopped, men young always comes first. Where others and old tried to solve the riddle. But none increase, it keeps all things the same. had the answer. What is it? In one village, a scholar came before Aziza to announce his answer. He was an The sultan thought for a moment, and astronomer, who studied the movements then he sighed. “This riddle is too difficult of the sun, moon, and stars. even for me. In all the land, there is no “I have observed that the answer is the man who will solve this riddle.” sun,” he said with much confidence. “For “Perhaps there will be one,” Aziza said. the riddle speaks of shadows. When the “And one is all that is needed.” sun is high above us, even the greatest So the sultan agreed to Aziza’s plan. man seems small, as he has only a small The next day, Aziza set out with a shadow. Thus, the answer is the sun.” caravan in search of the one who could “A learned answer indeed,” said Aziza. solve the riddle. In every city, town, and “But that is not the right answer to the village, a messenger spread the news of riddle.” the sultan’s daughter’s riddle. In another town, a soldier came before “One riddle, one answer! Let any Aziza with his answer. number try!” cried the messenger. “Only

2 “A sword!” he cried, displaying his “May I try another riddle?” asked the gleaming saber. “The answer must be a merchant. sword. For the riddle speaks of war. And “No,” Aziza said. “One riddle, one in war, even the smallest man is great in answer.” strength with a sword by his side.” Aziza felt discouraged. Perhaps her “You have given a strong answer,” said father was right. Perhaps no one in the Aziza. “But that is not the right answer to land would know the answer to the riddle. the riddle.” She ordered the caravan to return to her In another city, a merchant came before father’s palace. Aziza. Just as the caravan was about to depart, “Honored lady,” he said sweetly, “your a young man came forward. He was a clever riddle has been solved. The riddle farmer named Ahmed, and he too loved speaks of the ways of the world, and the numbers. answer, therefore, is money. For as “Will you hear one more answer?” everyone knows, in all matters that count, Ahmed asked. money always comes first.” He smiled at “Just one more,” Aziza said, sighing. Aziza, sure that he had won her hand. “The riddle speaks of numbers,” he said, “Your answer is more clever than my “and the answer is the number one. For in riddle,” said Aziza wearily. “But your a fraction, the number one placed above a clever answer is wrong.” larger number makes a small number. One

3 hundred is large, but one hundredth is “That is a wonderful answer,” said small.” Aziza. “And it is right! With this answer, “Yes, it is,” said Aziza. “Go on.” you have won my hand.” “And when the number one is placed “With this riddle, you have won my beside another number,” he said, “the heart,” said Ahmed. number increases. One placed beside nine Aziza and Ahmed returned to the makes nineteen.” sultan’s palace. Before long, they were “Or ninety-one,” said Aziza. She smiled. married. “Or ninety-one,” said Ahmed. He The sultan made Ahmed his chief smiled back. advisor in matters of farming. “And in counting,” Ahmed went on, And he made Aziza his chief advisor in “the number one always comes first. That matters of numbers. is as simple as one, two, three.” “Yes!” said Aziza, laughing. Comprehension Questions Ahmed said, “And in multiplication, the number one keeps the value of another 1. When and where does this story take number, while other numbers increase the place? (Setting) value. One times ten is ten, but two times ten is twenty, and three times ten is thirty. 2. How will Aziza go about finding a And this is why,” said Ahmed, “the husband? (Plot) answer to your riddle is the number one.”

4 3. Why do you think the author wrote this story? How do you know? (Author’s Purpose)