“The Happy Prince and Other Tales” is a collection of children’s stories penned by the renowned author Oscar Wilde. First published in May 1888, the anthology features the titular tale of “The Happy Prince” as its centerpiece.

In this story, the Happy Prince is a magnificent statue covered in sheets of pure gold, its eyes made of precious sapphires. Though the statue lived a life of unparalleled luxury and grandeur, its soul becomes imbued within the structure upon the prince’s untimely death. From his lofty perch high above the city, the Happy Prince bears witness to the profound poverty, misery, and desperation afflicting the people below.

Considered one of Wilde’s most famous and beloved fairy tales, “The Happy Prince” offers a poignant commentary on the stark divides between the haves and the have-nots in society. Through its moving narrative and symbolic imagery, the story powerfully resonates as a timely and thought-provoking exploration of inequality, empathy, and the human condition.