The Happy Prince's Last Light
High above the city, a golden prince sees suffering for the first time. A migrating swallow agrees to help for one night—and stays until winter. Adapted from ‘The Happy Prince’ by Oscar Wilde. Public domain.
The statue of the Happy Prince was crying.
One tear landed on a swallow sheltering at his feet.
How can someone made of gold be sad?
When I was alive, walls kept sorrow outside.
Now I stand high enough to see the whole city.
Far away, a seamstress worked beside her feverish child.
She had no money for food or medicine.
Take the ruby from my sword and carry it to her.
My flock is already flying south.
Stay one night.
The swallow pulled the ruby free.
He flew over roofs, towers, and bright windows.
He left the jewel beside the sleeping woman.
Then he cooled the child's forehead with his wings.
When he returned, the air felt strangely warm.
It is freezing. Why am I warm?
Because you did something good.
Before dawn, the prince asked for one night more.