King Arthur was captured by an evil witch. This witch offered him freedom, if he could answer a question. The question was: What do women want? He was given a year to answer. Arthur accepted the witches terms, since it was better than an instant death. He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everybody: the princesses, the prostitutes, the priests, the wise men and even the court jester. But no one could answer him sufficiently. The end of the year was near and Arthur had no choice but to go back to the witch. She was willing to answer her own question, for a price. She wanted to marry Gawain, Arthur's closest friend! Arthur refused: she was awfully hideous, hunchbacked, only had one tooth, smelled like sewage, made obscene noises...etc. Gawain spoke with Arthur. He was willing to sacrifice his happiness for the life of his friend. So the wedding was performed, and the witch answered the question: What a woman wants is to be able to be in charge of her own life. Everyone instantly knew that the witch had spoken true, and Arthur was granted his freedom. But Arthur was torn between relief and anguish for Gawain. The old witch behaved horribly, and made everyone pity poor Gawain. Steeling himself for a horrific wedding night, Gawain entered his bedroom. What a sight awaited! The most beautiful woman he'd ever seen lay in his bed! Gawain was speechless. The beauty replied that since he had been willing to give of himself so freely, he would be rewarded. Half the time she would be the witch, and the other half she would be the beautiful maiden. But it was his to decide which would be during the day, and which during the night? Gawain began to think: During the day a beautiful woman to show off, but at night an old witch? Or by day an old witch, but by night a beautiful woman to enjoy? Gawain replied that he would let her choose for herself. Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time, because he had respected her and had let her be in charge of her own life. The moral of this story is it doesn't matter how your woman looks, underneath it all, she's still a witch---and don't forget it!