The statue of the Happy Prince is covered all over with gold. The people of the city like him very much." You are like an angel," children say to him as they come out of the church with their teacher.
One night, a little swallow flies over the city. His friends go away to Egypt, but he stays behind. He is in love with the most beautiful reed. He meets her early in the spring as he was flying down the river.
"He is foolish to love a reed," the other swallows say to one another.
When autumn comes, the other swallows all fly away. After they leave, he feels lonely. "Will you come away with me?" he asks her. The reed shakes her head.
"Then I shall leave you," the swallow says." I am going to the pyramids. Goodbye!" And he flies away. All day long he flies, and at night-time he gets to the city.
--Taken from The Happy Prince
