The Happy Prince
The statue of the Happy Prince stood high above the city. It was covered with gold, its eyes were
bright blue jewels, and a red jewel hung from its waist. Everyone thought that it was very beautiful.
‘Why aren’t you like the Happy Prince?’ mothers said to their little boys when they cried.
Sad men looked at the statue and said, ‘I am glad that someone in the world is happy.’
One night a little bird flew alone over the city. The other birds were all in Egypt now. ‘Where can I
stay tonight?’ he thought. Then he saw the statue. ‘I will stay there,’ he thought. ‘It is high up, so there
is plenty of fresh air.’
He landed between the feet of the Happy Prince. ‘I have a golden bedroom!’ he thought. But as he put
his head under his wing, a large drop of water fell on him.
He looked up.’ That is very strange!’ he thought.’ There is not a cloud in the sky, but it is raining!’
Then another drop fell. ‘I cannot stay on a statue that does not keep me dry,’ he thought. ‘I must find
another place.’ And he decided to fly away. But as he opened his wings, a third drop fell. He looked
up and saw — Ah! What did he see?
The eyes of the Happy Prince were full of tears. Tears ran down his golden face. The face was very
beautiful in the moonlight, and the bird felt sorry for him.
‘Who are you?’ asked the bird.
‘I am the Happy Prince.’
‘Then why are you crying? I am wet with your tears.’