The Happy Prince

THE HAPPY PRINCE

The magnetic power of creativity and imagination is evident in the short story The Happy Prince written by Oscar Wilde. A skillful fable of a once blissful ruler that led a life of pleasure secured in a private world of serenity and comfort. The afterlife presents Happy Prince as a beautiful statue covered with finely carved thin golden leaves. His eyes were made of brilliant sapphires, and a large ruby was displayed at the tip of his hand held sword. Gallantly the happy prince stood on a high mantle column towering in the center of the Town Square. In his resurrected form his bold jeweled eyes were filled with blueness, and could see beyond his realm of reality. Surrounding were he once frolic with glee rest a people living in poverty, stricken with illness, uneducated, and destitute. Using an adventurous little swallow that becomes his lifeline to the road of recovery, the author poetically guides the reader into a state of redemption as the Happy Prince becomes spiritually aware of the poor.

This children bedtime story which was originally written for the authors two sons is a tall tale of virtues we all can relate to. Often we can find ourselves in a place of seeking self- pleasure which causes us to be oblivious to existing human conditions. The Happy Prince lived such a life. In his former life the Happy Prince was born with a silver spoon in his mouth filled with many treasures. He never experienced poverty, or even felt sorrow. The environment he ruled waxed greatly in both wealth and riches. He could aim high, and obtain goals without distractions or limitations. The reality of oppression did not exist to him. The average person was beyond a wall that blocked his view of perception.

From a Christian point of view it saddens me to know that there are many poverty stricken people living in our world today. How can we live with the fact that almost half the world, which is over three billion people, live on two dollars and fifty cents a day? The most heartbreaking fact is that there are one billion children living in poverty. Our nation is full of prosperous people, corporations, educators, and prominent church leaders. If only we would only put on those sapphire eyes! Then we would see that we as a people can have a relationship like the Happy Prince, and extent ourselves to those in need.

The Happy Prince represents volunteers that give their time to help others. The church that carry the heart of humanity as their mission, or the non-profit organization that bear the burdens of modern day society are all represented by the Happy Prince. The swallow represent what each of us can contribute to help better our community.

In conclusion, I would like to add that Oscar Wilde timeless classic tale is a story of morality. It makes us think about the people we come in contact with every day. Every human being has the responsibility