Or maybe - and sorry if this is insultingly obvious, just making sure - you're clicking the statue's mouth, right? :)
I have talked to Helga many times, but I never had an option to have her translate the symbols, nor can I find a spot on the statue to examine the symbols. I must have missed something that activates that discussion? That is probably why the mother's blessing is not working.
No need to worry about "insultingly obvious" questions. I've uploaded some games myself and you can't know if something was missed/broken unless you ask :)
Ok, let's see if we can crack this :)
- right-click either one of the statues. You memorize the symbols.
- talk to Helga. You tell her about the statues and try to describe the symbols, but she wants you to show them to her more directly.
- use the stick (found in front of Tarik and Masha's house) on the patch of sand in front of Helga. You draw the symbols and she tells you they mean "mother's blessing" and "king's blessing".
- now talk to Masha. If you have examined the room, she should give you her blessing.
- this should also allow you to visit the king once you get a "royal" seal. Otherwise the clerk doesn't let you in, you must first state the reason of your visit, which is to ask for the king's blessing.
Right click! That was what I did not think to do. I skipped past the instructions quicker than I should have and did not notice I could right click on items until about halfway through the game and there are apparently some places I had not thought to investigate yet. I will go right click the statues.