The appeal of this classic children’s story by Frank Stockton lies in its so-called “unsolvable problem”. Readers must use context clues and their perceptions of human nature to decide the story’s outcome (i.e. what lies behind the arena’s right-hand door). Whichever door is chosen, the King wins and the princess loses. The young man’s fate depends on how well he understands the workings of the semi-barbaric princess’s mind. Was her secret signal influenced by selfless love for him, or jealousy of the lady? Themes: choices and consequences, fairness, power, class/forbidden love, jealousy/possible betrayal.
Original Text / PDF / Audio (2,700 words)