The castaways were surrounded by the tribal clan. Thinking fast, Mr. Howell spoke. "Now there is no need for this to escalate into a hostile situation. We can all work through this like civilized people."
Kimmo nodded and held up his hand indicating for the tribe to back down.
"Now." said Mr. Howell. "This is our daughter Princess Ginger. You believe this to be your Princess Rose. There has to be someway for us to prove to you that we are telling you the truth."
"You are lying!" exclaimed Kawan with fury. "No one here believes the lies you speak!"
Kimmo held his hand up. "Silence." He said. "It may be possible they speak the truth."
Kawan could not believe it. "They are speaking lies!"
"Enough." said Kimmo. "I have a way to settle this matter." He turned to Iris. "Bring me sacred box."
Iris nodded and headed to one of the tents. She returned with a wooden box in her hands. Walking over to Kimmo, she handed it to him.
Kimmo took the box and spoke. "This is sacred box. Legends says that only the true and pure of heart can open box."
He gave box to Ginger. "If you can open this box, it means you speak the truth. You are true of heart."
Ginger looked and saw it was a beautiful carved wooden puzzle box. It took great skill to open a puzzle box.
She nodded and went to a table to sit down.
Everyone gathered around watching. The Professor put his hand on her shoulders and whispered to her that she could do it. Mary Ann sent a silent prayer up that Ginger could open the box. The Howells held each other's hands while the Skipper and Gilligan held their breath. Ginger closed her eyes and then opened them. Her heart pounding, she began to work the box.
Kawan stood in silence snarling. He thought the whole thing was ridiculous.
Ginger opened each compartment carefully until…the whole thing was opened.
"She did it!" exclaimed the Professor. "She did it!"
Ginger looked at the open box and smiled. "I did it! It's open!"
Kimmo smiled upon her. "You are true at heart. This means you are who you say you are. You may go and rejoin your family. Many blessings to you on your marriage."
Ginger stood up and hugged the elderly tribesman. "Thank you. You are very kind."
Everyone gathered to congratulate Ginger on her opening the box.
Kawan stood there in total disbelief. Kianna came up to him. "She is not our princess." She said sadly. "This means Princess Rose is still lost to us."
Kawan shook his head. "No. She is our princess. Grandfather is a fool. That legend about the box is ridiculous. Means nothing."
"Kawan." Kianna said stunned. "You mustn't say such a thing."
"It is true." frowned Kawan. "You know that I am right. Those people are not who they claim to be. They tricked Princess Rose. I know it. I will prove it and you will help me."
"Me?" said Kianna. "I couldn't.."
"You will." said Kawan sternly. "You are being cheated. You know you are to marry a man of science. This so-called Prince Roy is a Professor. Don't you wish to marry him?"
Kianna shook her head. "No not if he is in love with Princess Ginger."
"She is not Princess Ginger. She is Princess Rose!" He roared. "I will prove it! One way or another I will prove it! And once I do, She will be mine. And you will have the Professor."
"But Kawan, I don't think that is right." said Kianna. "I cannot force him to marry me. He loves Princess Ginger. You can see it. Just look at the way he adores her." She said pointed to the way the Professor was holding Ginger and gently stroking her hair.
"Nonsense it is an act! All an act. She was tricked. You will help me prove it."
"I'm sorry Kawan. I cannot help you. It is wrong what you want to do."
"You can and you will. And I told you…they have tricked her. Used some kind of magic on her. Made her believe something that is not true. We need to break that spell."
Kianna shook her head. " I cannot be a part of this."
She began to walk away when Kawan violently grabbed her arm. "Yes you will or you pay."
Kianna's eyes went wide with fear. She knew all to well the plenty for a woman in the tribe to disobey one of the male tribesman. It was severe and harsh. She felt trapped. Slowly, she nodded her head. "Okay Kawan. I help you."
Back to the gang and the tribe
"Before you go." said Kimmo. "You must join us. We have a feast to celebrate your union."
"We would be honored!" declared Mr. Howell.
"How wonderful. Simply marvelous of you!" said Mrs. Howell walking to the table.
Ginger and the Professor walked to the table as well and sat down. Ginger still had the puzzle box and sat it on the table in front of her. The others joined in as well.
Kimmo stood at the head of the table and spoke. "I would like to give a big welcome to our guests. And a special blessing to Princess Ginger and Prince Roy on their upcoming wedding!"
Everyone cheered. The food was served and everyone dug in.
"Wow. This is terrific." said the Skipper. "Wonderful meal."
Iris nodded. "Thank you kind sir." She said.
Ginger leaned over to the Professor speaking softly. "I knew you would find me." She said. "I knew you would rescue me." She placed a soft kiss on his cheek and sat back.
The Professor looked over at her and smiled. He reached over and gently placed his hand on hers.
The feast was over and Kimmo gathered everyone around. "Now we dance!" He declared.
The tribesman started beating their drums and blowing on their handmade flutes and various other instruments.
The Professor took Ginger's hand and lead her out to the dance area.
Mary Ann watched feeling envious. How happy and in love they looked.
Ginger laughed as the Professor nuzzled her neck declaring he was tickling her. She squealed as she pushed him away. He kissed her hand and they began dancing again.
Mary Ann wished she had that. She glanced over and saw Gilligan dancing with one of the other tribal women. Would he ever notice her? She sat down on a bench and sighed as she watched the scene.
Kawan watched the entire proceedings and fumed inside.
All this because Kimmo believed that silly superstition about a wooden puzzle box. He knew that this Princess Ginger wasn't who she said she was. He knew that she was his Rose. He would find a way to prove it.
Somehow someway, he would do it. If Kianna gave him any trouble, he would just simply eliminate the Professor.
In fact, he was starting to think that maybe that would be the best plan. Kianna would just have to find another man of science. This Professor needed to be taken out. He stood in the way of him having Princess Rose. And have her he would.
He grew angry watching her dance with the Professor. They way she was looking at him.
Kawan knew that they did something to make her think she was another. His Rose loved him. She always said that he was the only man for him. Now this Professor was causing trouble. Well not for long. Not for long.
"Enjoy your time with her my friend." He said to himself. "It will not last."
Ginger walked with the Professor away from the celebration. She wanted to be alone with him for a few minutes.
They found a small clearing and Ginger held his arm as they walked.
"I'm so glad everything worked out." She said. "I was so afraid. Thinking I was going to have to marry a man I don't love."
"I couldn't let that happen."replied the Professsor. "You deserve better. You deserve to have a happy marriage based on love."
Ginger smiled. "You know…it was kind of funny both of us thinking of the same plan."
"Well." said the Professsor. "I wasn't sure they would believe it if we told them you were going to marry the Skipper." He joked.
Ginger laughed. "Oh Professor." She said. "I do love you." She said placing her head against him.
He stopped and turned his head. "What did you say?"
Ginger realized what she said but was not sorry. "I said I love you." She replied.
"You…"
"Yes. I love you. " Ginger said nervously wondering what he thought of that.
The Professor was speechless. He didn't know what to say.
"It's okay." said Ginger. "You don't have to say anything."
"No I do." said the Professsor. He turned to face her, placing his hands on her face. "I love you too."
Ginger smiled as he leaned in and began softly kissing her lips.