The Riddle That Saved the Queen

Start of program: Talk about riddles and "riddling" – very short history. Have 4 volunteers (the Royal Riddlers) read short Christmas riddles.

Q. What did Adam say on the day before Christmas?

A. It’s Christmas, Eve.

Q. Why are Christmas trees such bad knitters?

A. They are always dropping their needles.

Q. What did Adam say on the day before Christmas?

A. It’s Christmas, Eve!

Q. Where does Santa keep his money?

A. In a snow bank.

 

Story: based the story about the boy finding the answer to a riddle. I've set my version of this story in Medieval times and told it at a local Madrigal.

Once upon a time in a land far, far away, there was a castle with a king, a queen and a very clever prince called Prince Jonathan. Even though the prince had many privileges, he had no friends. However, his mother, the queen always took time out of her busy day for her son. She told him stories, sang him songs and played the riddling game. Prince Jonathan was very clever and almost always guessed the answers. This made his mother, the queen always smile and say, "My you are a clever boy."

One wintry day in late December, the prince was told to go his mother’s room. She was very ill. Very quietly he walked into her room and up to her bed. "Mother, Mother…are you awake?"

The queen looked over at her son. The lights in her eyes were dim, and she didn’t smile. "Dearest Jonathan, I fear I will not be able to join you at Christmas this year. I feel so weak and the Royal Physician told me I must not get out of bed."

"Mother, certainly there is something I can do."

She smiled a thin smile. "Yes, there is. I have a riddle, and I have not been able to answer it. Perhaps, if you find the answer, I will feel better by Christmas."

"Yes, mother. Tell me. Surely, I will know the answer or find someone who does.

"Alright, here it is: What is a little round house, all colored red. There are no windows or doors, but there is a star on the inside. Tell me, do you know the answer?"

"No mother, I do not, but I will find someone who does." He kissed her hand and ran out the door.

The most intelligent person the prince knew was the wizard. The wizard lived in the turret tower – 100 steps to the top. The prince started to run up and up, but about half-way, he had to stop. He had to catch his breath. He tried to hurry, but his lungs and legs ached. Finally, he made it to the wizard’s room.

There was the wizard dress in his fine royal blue robes festooned with stars and moons. He wore a pointed wizard hat and had a magic wand in his hand. When the wizard saw the prince, he bent down and bowed, "Prince Jonathan, why do come for a visit?"

Gasping the prince said, "My mother is ill and I’m trying make her smile so she can join us for our Christmas celebrations."

"I see," said the wizard, "and how may I help?"

"My mother loves to riddle, but she doesn’t know the answer to this: What is a little round house, all colored red. There are no windows or doors, but there is a star on the inside. Tell me, do you know the answer?

"Hmm," thought the wizard as he stroked his long white beard. "Come here, my lord, and look inside this telescope, a gift from my friend Sir Galileo."

The prince walked over and looked inside. When he saw what was inside he thought…Oh my! A Star!! Could this be the answer? But, the prince knew it could not for it had to be red and the telescope was a shiny black.

Sadly the prince looked at the wizard. "I’m afraid this is not the answer I seek, for it must be red."

"Perhaps, you could try the Court Jester. I have heard that he is wise…a wise fool! But, perhaps, he can help you."

The prince thanked the wizard and down the steps he flew until he came to the long hall. He ran and ran until he came to the great room. There he found the jester practicing for the Christmas show. He didn’t want to interrupt him, but time was ticking by.

"Excuse me, jester, I have an important question to ask."

"Yes, young master, how can I help?"

"I have heard that you like to play the fool, but that you are a wise fool."

"Aha! You have heard correctly…a wise fool indeed."

"Then, please answer this riddle, so my mother the queen will join us for Christmas: What is a little round house, all colored red. There are no windows or doors, but there is a star on the inside. Tell me, do you know the answer?

"Better than that, I will show you." He picked up his juggling balls and juggled so fast that it looked like a rainbow. Then, one ball – the red one rose higher and higher…higher than all the rest. Then, the juggler caught that red ball and gave it to the prince.

The prince laughed as he felt the red ball in his hand. It certainly was red and there were no windowsor doors…but where was the star?

"Thank you, kind juggler, but there is no star. I shall to continue my quest."

When the prince came out of the great room and started to walk down the long hallway, suddenly he stopped. "Mmm… something smells delicious!" Then, the prince remembered that it was Monday. The chef always did his pastries and pies on Monday. Just perhaps he would know the answer.

He ran down to the kitchen and sat in a high chair where he always perched to watch the chef work his magic. When the chef looked up and saw the prince, he bowed low, "Young Prince, why are you so glum. I am used to your smiles not your sad face."

"It’s my mother, she is very ill. She asked me one thing for Christmas…to answer this riddle: What is a little round house, all colored red. There are no windows or doors, but there is a star on the inside. Tell me, do you know the answer?"

Ah, my young master, I am but a lowly chef, but I do have something you can give the queen. Perhaps, it will help in your quest." The chef went over to the cutting board and wrapped something in white linen napkin. "Here you are, perhaps this holds the answer you seek."

Prince Jonathan took the napkin and ran up to this mother’s bedroom. He knocked softly on the door and opened it ajar, "Mother, my I come in?"

A weak voice answered, "Yes my son, please do. Bring a bit of sunshine into this dreary day.

The prince walked over, "Mother, I think I found the answer to the riddle." He handed the napkin to his mother. She gingerly opened it.

"Oh my! An apple! It is indeed red and could be a house for a worm or a bug, I suppose. There are no windows or doors." Then, she saddened at the thought that there was no star. Just then she noticed that the apple had been cut in half. When she looked at the inside of the two pieces, her eyes brightened, "Why there it is! A star!" The aches and pains seemed to leave and big smile came upon her lips. "My, you are such a clever boy."

And that Christmas the King, the Queen and their very clever son had a blessed holiday.

At Christmas it is often the custom to give apples. Each apple holds a star…just like the star that shone over Bethlehem bringing health, and joy, and peace. May that star burn bright in our hearts this holiday season and throughout the New Year.