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hands of your own subjects。〃
The Prince began to think that the best thing he could
do would be to get as far away from the lake as he could；
then at least he would not be continually reminded of his
terrible ugliness。 So he ran toward the wood； but before
he had gone many yards he fell into a deep pit which
had been made to trap bears； and the hunters； who were
hiding in a tree； leaped down； and secured him with
several chains； and led him into the chief city of his own
kingdom。
On the way； instead of recognizing that his own faults
had brought this punishment upon him； he accused the
Fairy of being the cause of all his misfortunes； and bit
and tore at his chains furiously。
As they approached the town he saw that some great
rejoicing was being held； and when the hunters asked
what had happened they were told that the Prince；
whose only pleasure it was to torment his people； had
been found in his room； killed by a thunder…bolt （for
that was what was supposed to have become of him）。
Four of his courtiers； those who had encouraged him in
his wicked doings； had tried to seize the kingdom and
divide it between them； but the people； who knew it
was their bad counsels which had so changed the Prince；
had cut off their heads； and had offered the crown to
Suilman； whom the Prince had left in prison。 This
noble lord had just been crowned； and the deliverance
of the kingdom was the cause of the rejoicing 〃For；〃
they said； 〃he is a good and just man； and we shall once
more enjoy peace and prosperity。〃
Prince Darling roared with anger when he heard this；
but it was still worse for him when he reached the great
square before his own palace。 He saw Suilman seated
upon a magnificent throne； and all the people crowded
round； wishing him a long life that he might undo all
the mischief done by his predecessor。
Presently Suilman made a sign with his hand that the
people should be silent； and said： 〃I have accepted the
crown you have offered me； but only that I may keep it
for Prince Darling； who is not dead as you suppose； the
Fairy has assured me that there is still hope that you
may some day see him again； good and virtuous as he
was when he first came to the throne。 Alas！〃 he
continued； 〃he was led away by flatterers。 I knew his
heart； and am certain that if it had not been for the bad
influence of those who surrounded him he would have
been a good king and a father to his people。 We may
hate his faults； but let us pity him and hope for his
restoration。 As for me； I would die gladly if that could bring
back our Prince to reign justly and worthily once more。〃
These words went to Prince Darling's heart； he realized
the true affection and faithfulness of his old tutor； and
for the first time reproached himself for all his evil
deeds； at the same instant he felt all his anger melting
away； and he began quickly to think over his past life；
and to admit that his punishment was not more than
he had deserved。 He left off tearing at the iron bars of
the cage in which he was shut up； and became as gentle
as a lamb。
The hunters who had caught him took him to a great
menagerie； where he was chained up among all the other
wild beasts； and he determined to show his sorrow for
his past bad behavior by being gentle and obedient to the
man who had to take care of him。 Unfortunately； this
man was very rough and unkind； and though the poor
monster was quite quiet； he often beat him without
rhyme or reason when he happened to be in a bad temper。
One day when this keeper was asleep a tiger broke its
chain； and flew at him to eat him up。 Prince Darling；
who saw what was going on； at first felt quite pleased to
think that he should be delivered from his persecutor；
but soon thought better of it and wished that he were free。
〃I would return good for evil；〃 he said to himself； 〃and
save the unhappy man's life。〃 He had hardly wished
this when his iron cage flew open； and he rushed to the
side of the keeper； who was awake and was defending
himself against the tiger。 When he saw the monster had
got out he gave himself up for lost； but his fear was soon
changed into joy； for the kind monster threw itself upon
the tiger and very soon killed it； and then came and
crouched at the feet of the man it had saved。
Overcome with gratitude； the keeper stooped to caress
the strange creature which had done him such a great
service； but suddenly a voice said in his ear：
〃A good action should never go unrewarded；〃 and at
the same instant the monster disappeared； and he saw
at his feet only a pretty little dog！
Prince Darling； delighted by the change； frisked about
the keeper； showing his joy in every way he could； and
the man； taking him up in his arms； carried him to the
King； to whom he told the whole story。
The Queen said she would like to have this wonderful
little dog； and the Prince would have been very happy
in his new home if he could have forgotten that he was a
man and a king。 The Queen petted and took care of
him； but she was so afraid that he would get too fat that
she consulted the court physician； who said that he was
to be fed only upon bread； and was not to have much
even of that。 So poor Prince Darling was terribly
hungry all day long； but he was very patient about it。
One day； when they gave him his little loaf for breakfast；
he thought he would like to eat it out in the garden；
so he took it up in his mouth and trotted away toward a
brook that he knew of a long way from the palace。 But
he was surprised to find that the brook was gone； and
where it had been stood a great house that seemed to be
built of gold and precious stones。 Numbers of people
splendidly dressed were going into it； and sounds of
music and dancing and feasting could be heard from the
windows。
But what seemed very strange was that those people
who came out of the house were pale and thin； and their
clothes were torn； and hanging in rags about them。
Some fell down dead as they came out before they had
time to get away； others crawled farther with great
difficulty； while others again lay on the ground； fainting
with hunger； and begged a morsel of bread from those
who were going into the house； but they would not so
much as look at the poor creatures。
Prince Darling went up to a young girl who was trying
to eat a few blades of grass； she was so hungry。 Touched
with compassion； he said to himself：
〃I am very hungry； but I shall not die of starvation
before I get my dinner； if I give my breakfast to this
poor creature perhaps I may save her life。〃
So he laid his piece of bread in the girl's hand； and saw
her eat it up eagerly。
She soon seemed to be quite well again； and the Prince；
delighted to have been able to help her； was thinking of
going home to the palace； when he heard a great outcry；
and； turning round； saw Celia； who was being carried
again