King Solomon: Peace be with you, O Queen of Sheba, and peace be with all your people! Know that G-d appointed me King over many lands and peoples. He made me sovereign over all the beasts and the animals, over the fish, the birds and the insects. Therefore, I promise you that if you will come and pay me homage I will honor you and raise you above all the sovereigns under my rule. But, should you not obey me, then be forewarned that I will send against you my mighty legions, who will grind you and your kingdom to dust! Should you ask what are those mighty legions of which I speak — know then: that the birds in the sky are my cavalry and the animals of the earth are my infantry. At my command, they will descend upon your land and annihilate you and your people, for against them you can find no protection.
Queen of Sheba: And thus speaks the Queen of Sheba! The span of a seven years' journey lies between my country, Kittor, and the land of Israel; but, in order that I may hear your great wisdom from your own lips, I am starting out immediately on the long journey to Jerusalem. Be assured I will neither rest nor spare any effort to make the seven years' journey in only three years, for so great is my eagerness to see you!
QUEEN OF SHEBA'S RIDDLE:
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Extracted from "King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, A Treasury of Jewish Folklore, Nathan Ausubel":
