| The Happy Prince | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Unknown |
|
First Appearance |
The Happy Prince and Other Tales (1888) |
|
Original Publisher |
Unknown |
|
Created by |
Oscar Wilde |
Origin[]
The Happy Prince was a human prince living in the Palace of Sans-Souci, who acquired his nickname because he was so spoiled. Following his death as a human, a statue of him was erected above the city, encrusted with gold and jewels and with a heart of lead.
As a statue, the Prince watched the misery of many in the city and lived in ceaseless sorrow, frequently crying. Although his feet were affixed to his plinth, he pursuaded a small swallow that nested beneath him to help. He had the swallow repeatedly tear off the gold and jewels affixed to him to give to the poor - including saving a little match girl from a beating from her father - defacing the statue in the process.
Unfortunately, the swallow stayed too long into the winter working with the Prince, and ultimately died from the cold. His lead heart broken by the death of his only friend and his appearance shabby, the statue was torn down and destroyed; but the broken lead heart refused to melt in the furnace. The heart and sparrow were rescued from the trash heap by an angel and taken to paradise.
Powers and Abilities[]
- Superhuman senses
- Superhuman durability
- Can communicate with animals
Public Domain Appearances[]
- The Happy Prince and Other Tales (1888)
- The Happy Prince radio broadcast (1944)
- (issued as a record in 1946)