Lampara World Classics - The Happy Prince

The Prince lived a happy life in the palace but was unaware of the suffering of common people. After his death, his statue was built high on a column so he could witness their hardships. This saddened the Prince and he cried tears of gold. A swallow agreed to help by removing the Prince's jewels and gold to give to the poor. The bird continued to help even as the Prince lost his eyes and gold, until the swallow grew weak and died from the cold. The Prince's lead heart then broke from the loss of the kind swallow. In the end, God deemed the broken heart and dead bird the most precious things in the city.