I am looking to find a story a I read in a magazine a few years ago. 
My daughter loved the story and I want to find it for her birthday.

The story I think had the words "the rose" in the title but I am not
sure.  The story was about a young man who was in love with a young
lady.  Before he could win the young lady he had to perform certain
tasks.  The first task was to find a "beautiful mistake" and he
delivered a pearl.  When he completed the final task he realised the
lady herself was who was tasking him.

I believe the setting is someone telling a story to another perhaps on
a train but my memory is a bit fuzzy.

I would really like to find this.  I believe the story appeared in a
magazine like the Sunday Times magazine or an airline magazine I am
not positive though.

PLease help it would make my daughter very happy.

Thank You 

Keith KEndall

I have a vague memory of hearing similar story when I was a small
child. It was a persian story where the suitor had to do tasks like
show his tenderness by being some time as a bee farmer. If it sounds
familiar I guess starting to go through with middle east and persian
stories would be bit helpful.

You could try to find what you need from here:
http://www.logan.com/loganberry/nostalgia.html

Story called, "The Blue Rose"
http://www.civprod.com/storylady/stories/TheBlueRose.htm