Once upon a time, a magnificent ruler had a daughter of unmatched beauty. She had reached the age of marriage, yet found no one to her liking — not the sons of kings, nor of viziers, nor of wealthy merchants. She turned up her nose at everyone. In that land there was also a handsome but poor young man who asked for her hand. Of course he was refused. So he went off to another country, worked hard, and grew very rich.

Years later he returned to his homeland, and wished to see the girl who had rejected him. He asked around, learned where she lived, went and stood before her house, and waited. Presently the door opened and out came an exceedingly ugly man. After the man had gone, the young man knocked, and the girl opened the door.

He wanted to know why she had married such an ugly man. To explain, the girl led him to a magnificent rose garden behind the house.

“You shall learn the answer to your question,” she said. “Now, find the most beautiful rose in this garden and bring it to me — on one condition: as you walk through the garden, you may never step backward.”

“Very well,” said the young man, and he began to walk. Just as he thought he had found the most beautiful rose, he would glimpse a lovelier one. Just as he reached for that, another; just as he made to pluck it, yet another. Before he knew it, he had reached the end of the garden — and stepping back was forbidden. There at the end stood a single ugly rose, its head bowed low.

There. Now do you understand why I chose this man?