The Happy Prince

-- Oscar Wilde

The statue of the Happy Prince

The statue of the Happy Prince was placed on a tall column, high above the city. He was covered with thin gold leaves. Two bright sapphires made his eyes and a glowing ruby studded his sword hilt.

The little swallow’s night halt

A little swallow flew over the city. His friends had gone away to Egypt six weeks before, but it had stayed back. Finally, it decided to follow them. In the city, he planned to spend the night at the statue’s feet because there was plenty of fresh air at that heigh…