“The Happy Prince” by Oscar Wilde

“The Happy Prince” is one of Oscar Wilde’s most famous fairy tales – short and unusually pious for this author. It talks about a statue of a Happy Prince – a beautiful statue decorated with gold and gems, but not as happy as others think, because the Prince can see all the poverty surrounding him in the town where he is. So, with the help of his new friend – the Swallow – he sacrifices first the ruby that decorates his sword-hilt, then two saphires – his eyes – and finally all the gold. Swallow delivers those gifts to the poor people of the town, and then one day drops dead from cold, because in order to help the Happy Prince he fails to fly away to the south in time.

Oscar Wilde’s genius makes even this simple plot interesting and touching. When I was reading the fairy tale for the first time, I was crying.

Needless to say the Town Councillors and the Mayor sound just a little too like the politicians of our time, and the description of their selfishness (which they don’t even bother to conceal) made me giggle.

Human nature hardly ever changes, and in my city statues aren’t even decorated with gold and gems… I wonder how many of our rich people remember to be charitable, even if once in a while. I’m sure Oscar Wilde’s fairy tale would touch even the most callous heart.

It is definitely a good read for the holiday season, which is over in the western countries by now, but just starting in Russia. Ours will last until 7 January, so there will be more fairy tale reviews to come in the following week.