The Prince and the Pauper Long, long ago, when King Henry VIII ruled over London, a strange incident took place. Two boys were born on the same day at the same time. One was born in the palace, and the other in the palace. and thus became a prince, while the other was born to a very poor family, and thus became a pauper. The pauper's family was only a few miles away from the palace.
This was the sad state of the world. of affairs in those times. Where Prince Edward was given the best food and clothing, the pauper who was named Tom had to beg for a single bite and wore nothing but rags. As they both grew up, another coincidence was waiting to be revealed.
The uncanny similarity between the two boys. Ugh! Tom! You useless boy! You brought me nothing today!
Father, I don't want to beg You think anybody wants to beg, you fool? If you don't beg, then what are we going to eat? And with that attitude, you should have been born in a palace Why were you born in a pauper's house?
But how can I decide where to be born? Oh, shut up, you ungrateful boy Get out and bring me some money The only good thing in Tom's life was Professor Andrews who taught in a school nearby. He used to bring different books with him every week and encourage Tom to read. Books are man's best friend.
They will guide you through any situation. I know life is difficult for you. No, you don't know. Nobody knows.
Tell me, Professor, why wasn't I born in a palace? I don't know. I don't want to be a papa all my life.
It isn't fair. Who said you have to be a papa just because you were born in a papa's house? But isn't that how it works? A papa's child is a papa, and a king's child is a prince or a princess. But as we grow, we can choose to be someone else.
In fact, we can choose to be anybody we want to be. Answer me this. If I only give you two options, to be a pauper or a greedy dishonest man, who would you rather be? If the only other option is to be a dishonest man, then I would rather stay a pauper and be honest.
Exactly. You see now, you can always choose. Doesn't matter if you were born in a palace or a small hut.
Being honest and noble takes courage, Tom, and I know you have that courage. I believe in you. Thank you. One fine day, Tom wandered off looking for food. After walking a few miles, he reached the palace.
He was amazed to see tall and huge structures before him. He went around and sneaked through the bushes to get a closer look. He saw Prince Edward playing with his toys. I must be the prince.
I wish I could have a royal life. Hey, you! Dirty boy!
How dare you enter these premises? Let's throw him out of the palace! Just as the soldiers picked Tom up to throw him out, Prince Edward came out running.
What is all the commotion about? This boy was trying to enter the palace! What is your name?
My name is Tom Canty. My apologies, your highness. I didn't mean any harm. I was only peeping through your window.
Though he wore very dirty clothes, Tom spoke with respect. The prince was curious about the boy. He took Tom to his chamber and offered him food and sweets. Tom couldn't believe that he was standing in a real palace. You were very lucky.
I wish I were a prince too. Don't you find something strange here, Tom? There are a lot of similarities in our physical appearance.
The same round nose, curly hair, big eyes. I did notice it. But there is one very important thing. The places we come from.
What matters in this kingdom is that you wear these expensive robes and I wear rags. Didn't you see how your guards treated me? They didn't care that you and I looked similar. Nobody does. I don't believe that.
Wait, why don't we exchange our clothes and test everyone? It will be fun. Um, I am not sure. Come on, Tom. We are friends now.
And so they did. Tom and Edward were shocked to see themselves in the mirror. Wow, we look alike.
But it's all a dream. We must exchange our clothes now. What's the hurry?
Let me test my guards. I shall walk out of this room dressed like a pauper, and you stay here and pretend to be Prince Edward. But what if... Don't worry, Tom. Everything will be fine.
I will leave now. On his way out, the prince picked something up from his locker and hid it in his dirty clothes. He then walked to the main gate of the palace. The guards didn't even notice him.
Tom was right. All they care about is what I wear. They don't recognize me. Edward went out of the gate and turned around to go in. But the guards stopped him.
Wait! Enough! We will not let you around our prince anymore. Get out!
Calm down. I am Prince Edward. And I am the king. What?
No, you're not. No matter how much he pleases you, pleaded, the guards were not convinced. They threw the prince out. Oh, boy, this is not going to be easy.
Where do I go now? The prince walked away from the palace and unfortunately was found by Tom's father. You useless boy. Where have you been?
I am very hungry. Go get me some food. Nobody had ever talked. talk to Edward like that. Afraid and confused, he left to look for some food.
As he walked down the street, Prince Edward was shocked to see what lay in front of him. People in my kingdom are so poor. This is unbelievable.
We waste food every day in the palace, and here they don't have enough to feed even a family of two. Meanwhile, Tom tried his best to convince everyone around that he was not Prince Edward. But nobody was ready to listen. Everybody around him looked confused. Is he all right?
Something seems wrong with him? I don't know. I asked him about the Great Seal of England, and he replied saying that he doesn't know about it.
He is the prince! It's his duty to keep the seal safe. How can he not know?
Forgive me, but is it possible that he's forgotten? The same way he seems to have forgotten that he's Prince Edward and not some Tom the pauper. Oh, Lord, that would be terrible. King's health worsens with each passing day and his son loses his memory.
Lord saves this kingdom. Tom wanted Edward to get back to the palace soon. But at the same time, he realized that he had to take care of his kingdom till the real prince returns. After all, Prince Edward was his friend and he would not let him down.
Tom was wise and intelligent. He strongly took over his duties and learned quickly. Everybody in the palace slowly began to trust him and grew fond of their prince. He was a well-read boy.
The knowledge he gathered while reading the books given by Professor Andrew was used well. His wisdom was appreciated. He was humble and generous to all. Everything was going fine until one day a sad thing happened.
King Henry VIII passed away. The palace mourned for their king. I am sorry for your loss, but it is now time to crown you as our king. What?
But what's the hurry? People of this kingdom need you, Prince. And you have learnt enough.
This has to be done. I will arrange for the coronation ceremony. Tom liked it in the palace, but he very well knew that it was not his life to live. He didn't want to be crowned the king.
He sent his men out in the streets to look for Prince Edward. But since the guards didn't know which poor boy to look for, they all... always returned with no news. Tom was getting worried for the prince.
While every night Tom wished with all his heart for the prince to return, Edward found himself in yet another trouble. Once walking down the streets, Edward was captured by two crooks who forced him to steal. Although Edward didn't really steal, and put in the prison. That day, he was to be taken to the court. Edward was ready for worse.
But, unexpectedly... Your Honor, there has been a mistake. My guards picked this boy up, thinking him to be a thief. But he didn't steal anything. I request you to let him go, Your Honor.
Edward was set free. He thanked the merciful man and made a small request. I have a very important message to be taken to the palace. Prince Edward is being crowned king tomorrow. Could you please take me to the palace immediately?
The man didn't believe Edward, but since he too wished to attend the coronation ceremony, he agreed to take Edward along. Next day, inside the palace, everybody had assembled to cheer for their new king. Ahem. It is a historic day for all of us.
Today, we crown our new king, King Edward! Yay! King Edward!
Way to go, brother! King Edward! Everybody was very excited, just as the crown was about to be placed upon Tom's head. No!
Wait! I am the real Prince Edward! What? How dare you! Look at your clothes!
Closed. Guards, arrest him. No! Let me go! Guards, stand down.
He is telling the truth, Lord St. John. He is Prince Edward, and I am Tom Canty. I tried to tell you all, but...
You didn't believe me. How is that possible? If you still don't believe us, then here.
Isn't anybody worried about the Great Seal of England? I took it with me when I left the palace. Prince Edward and Tom narrated the whole incident.
Everybody was shocked to hear that their real prince was wandering out on the streets. My apologies, Prince. I tried to look for you.
Please take your rightful place as the king. Thank you. Tom, you are my true friend.
You diligently took care of my duties while I was away. I am very impressed with your honesty. You could have easily lied to prove me wrong and taken away my throne.
Your Highness, I might be a pauper's son, but I don't choose to be a dishonest man. I am so honored to have known you, Tom. Would you accept to be my personal advisor?
This kingdom needs your wisdom and knowledge. I would be grateful, Your Highness. As soon as the real prince was crowned to be the King of England, he immediately made some major changes in the rules and regulations of his kingdom. Watching the poverty around had moved him deeply. He stayed a merciful king throughout his reign.
The kingdom was inspired by Tom Canty and his honesty. King Edward and Tom Canty stayed close friends for the rest of their lives. The End Happy Prince One day, in heaven, God found two of his servants just sitting there doing nothing.
They looked unhappy. Hey, it's heaven. You can't just be unhappy here.
What is the reason for your unhappiness? We have nothing to do. We're idle, and that's why we're unhappy. Okay, go fly down to earth. Find two best things from a city and get them to me.
And thus, the servants of God flew away from heaven to earth. The statue was located in the heart of the city. He was covered with gold.
His eyes were made of blue sapphires. There was a precious ruby on his waist belt. He set an example for everybody on how to be happy. Hence, they called him the King of the World.
and called him the happy prince. Oh my baby, why are you crying? You have to be happy just like the happy prince. Soon winter came.
The sun was setting and a swallow bird was looking for a shelter for the night. He flew near the statue and thought, I can stay at the feet of the statue for a night. I won't feel cold here.
And the bird stayed there under the statue between its two legs. Soon after, a drop of water fell on the bird. The bird looked at the sky, but the sky was clear.
Where did this drop of water come from? It's not raining! And the second drop fell on the bird.
The bird was surprised. He decided to find another shelter for himself. So, it came out, looked at the statue, and what a surprise! The statue was crying. Hey!
Why are you crying? You are the happy prince! No, not anymore.
Why? What happened? When I was alive, I was very happy. I stayed in the palace and never came out.
I used to play in my garden in the daytime and dance in the evenings. I was like every other human being. I also had a heart like you all have. I spent my life happily in my home and never knew the life outside the walls of the palace.
I was very pleased with my small world and that's why they called me the Happy Prince. But now, as I am dead, and they have put me here, high above the city, I can see the other side of the coin. I can see people and their sufferings. Even though my heart is made of metal now, I can still feel their sorrows.
And so I cry. Oh! Why are you crying now? I can see a lady living little away from of the city. She is too poor to feed her baby.
She is stitching a dress for one of the queen's ladies for a dance in the palace. Her little boy is crying as he is hungry and ill. But the lady has nothing to feed him.
She can only offer him water from the river. Oh, what a pity! Could you please take my red jewel to the lady? She is in need. But I have to go to Egypt.
All my friends have migrated there, as it's winter here, and it will be warm in Egypt. Please, do this as a favor to me. Okay. I'll stay with you tonight and go to that lady tomorrow morning. Thank you, my friend.
In the morning, the bird removed the prince's red jewel and flew in the direction the prince had indicated. The bird flew over the city and then over the palace. The bird saw a few girls dancing and a beautiful girl standing in a window.
I wish I could get my dress in a day or two. Why does that lady take so long to stitch? The bird flew over the city, crossed the river, and reached near a village, where he saw the lady sleeping in her small house. The bird put the red jewel on the table. Then, he flew around the bed, over the baby boy.
With the moving air around his face, the baby boy fell asleep. The bird flew back to the prince. On his way back to the city, the bird went to the river as he was very thirsty. When the prince was back, the bird flew back to the prince.
The bird was drinking water from the river. A rider saw him there and thought, Oh, the bird is still here. It didn't migrate to any warm climate.
He is fighting with the climate not suitable for him. I should learn something from him, although I'm starving, but I should finish my story soon. The bird then returned to the prince, and the writer returned to his house with a story in his mind.
It's strange. I'm feeling warm, although it's cold out there. It's the warmth of the good deed you've done today. Yes, you're right. I'll fly to Egypt tomorrow.
Don't go. Please. Please, I need one more favor from you.
Oh no! What is it now? Far away from the city, I can see a writer who is writing a story, but can't complete it as he is starving. And there is no fire in his room either. He stays in a little room on the top of a house.
What do you want me to do then? You take one of my eyes and give it to him. Your eye?
I can't do that. Please do it. It's a precious blue stone from India. It'll help the writer to live a good life. Okay, I'll stay with you tonight and go to the writer tomorrow.
morning. The next morning, the bird took out one of the prince's eyes and flew away to the writer's house. He found the house easily and entered through the hole in the roof. The writer was sitting on his table with his head down. The bird kept the blue stone on his table and flew away.
The writer looked up at the stone. Did I say it is a gift from one of my readers? Thank you, my anonymous friend. The rider was happy to have the precious blue stone.
As the moon came up, the bird returned to the prince. I've come to say goodbye to you. I'm going to Egypt tomorrow morning. Would you please stay with me for one more night?
Oh, Prince! It'll be winter here, and there will be sun and warmth in Egypt. I must go there at the earliest.
Please stop, for the sake of a little girl's life. A little girl's life? Yes. There is a little girl in the square.
She was selling the eggs. But they have fallen down and they are broken. Now the girl has no money to take home. Her father will hit her if she goes home without money. How do you want me to help her?
Take out my other eye and give it to the girl. Her father will earn good money by selling it. Thus, he won't force the little girl to work.
Rather, he'll send her to school. No. No. I'll stay with you, but I can't take out your other eye.
You won't be able to see then. Please do it. Please.
The bird was feeling very sad to take out the prince's second eye. He took the jewel to the girl and dropped it in her hands. The girl was very happy to see the jewel.
What a beautiful piece of glass! And she ran to her home. The bird returned to the prince. He felt very bad for the prince, as the prince now had no eyes.
You are a good prince. I won't go to Egypt. No.
Now you please go to Egypt. It'll be difficult for you. for you to survive here in the winter. No, I won't leave you.
And the bird stayed there. He told the prince many stories and entertained him. The prince was happy to hear them.
Oh, my friend, please fly over the city and tell me what is going on. The bird flew over the city and told the prince what all he saw. The bird then returned to the prince.
Rich people are enjoying eating and drinking in their houses. On the other hand, the poor people are still starving for food and looking for shelter. I saw a few small kids suffering in this winter.
They're staying under a bridge, but the guard didn't allow them to stay there either. I'm covered with fine gold. Take them and distribute them to the poor ones. They should not suffer the bird sadly Took off all the gold from the prince's body and gave it to the needy people.
They were happy to receive some gold. I'll have my bread now. I'll have my bread now. I'll have my bread now.
I'll have my bread now. And then came the snow. The whole city was covered with the snow.
The bird couldn't survive in that freezing cold. He died one night. When the prince came to know this next morning, something cracked inside him.
It was Prince's metal heart, which broke. When people saw the dead bird at the prince's feet, They complained about it. A few officers came to the prince.
Isn't the prince looking ugly? Yes! He looks more like a beggar than a prince! And the dead bird at his feet.
Yuck! Who will clean this mess? I think we should remove this statue from this place.
We'll replace it with another one. They removed the statue and burnt it. But the broken heart of the statue didn't burn.
So, they threw it away. After a couple of days, the servants of God returned to heaven with two things and offered it to God. What have you got for me? There was a bird and a broken metal heart. God asked them why those were the best things of the city.
The servants told God that the heart belongs to the statue of the happy prince. You did a good job. Really.
Both these things are the best. I'll keep them in my garden. The bird will sing beautiful songs. And the happy prince will stand in my city of gold.