The Happy Prince: Was He Always Happy? | Episodes 1–3 | Little Fox

Once upon a time, there was a young prince. He smiled and laughed all day long. His parents, the king and queen, always said, You're the perfect child! And they made sure the prince got everything he ever wanted. And reader, I mean everything. He said, I want a pony! His parents gave him ten. He said, I want a new belt! They gave him one with two rubies and a sapphire. You might think that was why the prince was so happy. But you'd be wrong. The prince was happy because he never got into trouble. Not even when he behaved badly, which was most days. A nursemaid, Nana, watched over the prince. Nana was loving and gentle and very good at her job. Every day, she'd gently remind him, You are a very smart boy. Every night, she'd tuck him into bed. A wonderful future awaits you, my precious prince. But there was one thing Nana hadn't yet succeeded in doing. And it bothered her deeply. I was sent to this castle for one reason. I must make sure he becomes a kind king. So she kept trying to teach him to be kind. Your kingdom has many poor and sad families. She'd say. The prince would just shrug. Oh well, my family is rich and happy. Nana finally went to the king for advice. When the king heard how his son was acting, he grinned. Wonderful news! He will make a fine king one day. Next, Nana went to the queen. But the queen covered her ears. My son is a perfect angel. Nana knew then that she was all on her own. She was the only one who could teach the prince about kindness. But time was running out. The prince is growing up. She thought. Soon he won't need me anymore. Yet his heart is growing harder and colder by the day. It was time to do something. Something magical. You see, reader, Nana wasn't just a nursemaid. She was a fairy. And it was the fairy queen who had sent her there. The next king must be kind and fair. The fairy queen had said. Nana had never used magic at the castle before. But now, she thought. I will do what I must do. A few days later, the king and queen left the castle. They were going to visit a king in a faraway land. Nana and the prince waved goodbye from the castle steps. Nana, take care of my precious boy, the queen said. Bring me presents, the prince shouted as the carriage rolled away. Nana sighed. This was her chance to try a magic spell. But magic was serious. Fairies used it only when they had to. She decided to talk to the prince one last time. Prince, one day you'll rule this kingdom. You must have a kind and generous heart. Please show me that you can be kind. Okay. The prince looked around. I see some servant girls. I'll ask if they need anything. He ran to the servants. You're working so hard. Can I bring you a refreshment? The servant girls looked surprised. Why, um, certainly, your highness, one said. Great, I'll get some fruit. The prince dashed into the castle. He returned with a bowl of fruit. Nana beamed. He's learning, she thought. Maybe magic isn't needed after all. But then the prince laughed and threw the fruit at them. Stop that! Nana pulled the prince away. I've tried to teach you to be kind. But your heart is as cold as stone. So I must do what I must do. The prince laughed. Like what? Like this! The prince turned into a statue of stone, covered in gold. You will stand frozen above the village, watching your people. Seeing their struggles will surely soften your heart. Break this spell now! The statue cried. Only you can do that, Nana said. Tell me when you know how to be kind. Days passed. Nana waited, nervously watching the statue. Surely the prince sees the people's troubles now, she thought. And surely he wants to help them. But the statue stayed silent. Then one day, news came. The king and queen were returning home. Nana ran to the statue. I can't let them see my magic spell, she thought. She tried to break the spell herself. But nothing worked. The magic was too strong. Nana buried her face in her hands. The king will throw me into the dungeon. I must leave at once. Nana disappeared, leaving the statue all alone. The king and queen stared at the stone statue in horror. That's not our son, the king said. My baby has been kidnapped, the queen cried. And the villains left a statue in his place. This is Nana's fault, the king growled. Guards, find her then throw her in the dungeon. But reader, the guards could not find Nana. And the prince's parents couldn't bear to look at the statue. So they sent it to a town far from the castle. The townspeople were happy to have such a beautiful statue. It was made of stone but covered in gleaming gold. Three sparkling jewels sat in its belt. Often the people gathered at the statue's base, talking about it. We're so lucky to have this statue. Look at his smile. Let's call him the happy prince. One day a flock of swallows flew over the town. This looks like a nice place, their leader said. We'll spend the rest of the summer here. Then we'll fly to Egypt for the winter. And that's exactly what the swallows did. Most of them stayed in town. But one swallow liked to spend his time at the lake. One day the leader flew to talk to him. Please join the rest of the flock, leader said. Summer is almost over. We will leave for Egypt soon. I'm not going to Egypt, swallow said. Because I am in love. Oh, not again, leader thought. But he smiled politely. With who, he asked. Come, I'll introduce you to my love, swallow said. He led leader out over the water. As they flew, swallow said, She is the most beautiful thing in the world. Now every bird knew that swallow loved beautiful things. He fell in love every season. Hmm, leader thought. Is he talking about the lake this time? The sunset? Another bird, maybe? That's when swallow landed lightly on a tall reed. Leader gasped. Your love is a reed? Yes. Swallow smiled. Isn't she beautiful? Leader didn't want to be rude. And reader, neither do I. Don't get me wrong. She was a lovely reed. She swayed in the breeze. She held swallow gently when he landed on her. But she was still a reed. Leader blinked a few times. I hope you change your mind. Winter is coming. It will get very cold here. Swallow didn't reply. He just smiled and stared at his beloved reed.