The Salt Prince
Though ostensibly a fairy-tale, The Salt Prince makes several profound and idealistic observations about life and human nature.The closest to his heart is his youngest, Maruška, but he wants to confirm his decision by reason not only by feelings, so he follows the advice of the court jester to decide according to their confessions of daughterly love towards him and of their bridegrooms.Her bridegroom, the Salt Prince, promises love to his daughter, prosperity, justice, and charity towards their people if he and Maruška should reign.When illnesses start to spread, Pravoslav decides to sell gold in exchange for salt from the neighboring country.Here, Maruška is given a test in order to prove that she is capable of fighting for her love and able to resist temptation: she is tasked to fill an old, dry well with water from a nearby stream.The ideal of selfless love is shown in the scene where Maruška does not stop filling the dry well even when she sees no results stemming from her actions.