The Happy Prince

Synopsis:

"The Happy Prince" is a heartwarming story about the selfless acts of a gilded statue and a
compassionate swallow. The tale explores themes of empathy, sacrifice, and the true meaning of
happiness. As the Happy Prince and the swallow embark on a journey to alleviate the suffering of the
people in their city, they discover the power of kindness and the beauty of selflessness.

Cast of Characters:

The Happy Prince (Statue): A gilded statue of a prince, adorned with thin leaves of fine gold. He is kind-
hearted and compassionate, willing to sacrifice his own beauty and comfort to help those in need.

The Swallow: A small bird who falls in love with a beautiful reed but stays behind when his fellow birds
migrate to Egypt. He becomes the messenger and companion of the Happy Prince, aiding him in his
mission to bring happiness to others.

Mayor: The city's mayor who, along with the Town Councilors, fails to recognize the true value and
beauty of the Happy Prince.

Town Councilors: Members of the city's governing body who admire the Happy Prince's beauty but fail
to understand the value of his selflessness.

Sensible Mother: A wise and practical mother who encourages her child to be content and appreciative
of what they have, using the Happy Prince as an example.

Match-Girl: A poor girl who accidentally drops her matches in the gutter and faces the wrath of her
father. She receives a precious gift from the Swallow.

Setting: City Square

(The Happy Prince, a gilded statue, stands tall on a column. The Town Councilors and the Sensible
Mother admire the statue's beauty.)

COUNCILOR 1
He is as beautiful as a weathercock, only not quite so useful.

SENSIBLE MOTHER

Why can’t you be like the Happy Prince? The Happy Prince never dreams of crying for anything.

(asked a sensible mother of her little boy who was crying for the moon)

DISSAPOINTED MAN

I am glad there is someone in the world who is quite happy.

( muttered a disappointed man as he gazed at the wonderful statue.)

CHARITY CHILDREN

He looks just like an angel.

( they came out of the cathedral in their bright scarlet cloaks and their clean white pinafores)

MATHEMATICAL MASTER

How do you know? you have never seen one.

CHARITY CHILDREN

Ah! but we have, in our dreams.

(The Mathematical Master frowned and looked very severe, for he did not approve of children
dreaming.)

Scene 2: Statue

(The Swallow flies over the city and seeks shelter under the statue.)

SWALLOW

(to himself) Shall I love you?

(the Reed nods)

SWALLOW
I will stay with you for one night.

(Scene transitions between the statue and the various locations in the city)

Scene 3: Poor House

(The Swallow witnesses the poor woman and her sick little boy.)

SWALLOW

(to the Happy Prince)

There is a poor woman in that house. Her son is sick and hungry. We must help them.

Scene 4: City Streets

(The Swallow and the Happy Prince give away the prince's golden leaves to the poor and needy.)

SWALLOW

(To the Happy Prince)

Look at the joy we bring to the people. Their lives are getting better.

EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY

(The Swallow witnesses the suffering of the poor and the indifference of the rich. It sees the match-girl
crying in despair.)

SWALLOW

(Landing next to the match-girl)

Take this precious gift from the Happy Prince. It will bring warmth and comfort to your life.

MATCH-GIRL

(starstruck)

Thank you, kind Swallow.

The Swallow flies away, leaving the match-girl with renewed hope.

Scene 5: City Square

(The Mayor and the Town Councilors notice the changes in the Happy Prince's appearance.)

MAYOR

(disapprovingly)

The Happy Prince looks shabby. He is little better than a beggar.

TOWN COUCILOR 1

We must replace the statue with one of ourselves.

TOWN COUNCILOR 2

Yes, a statue of me would be perfect.

Scene 6: Statue
(The Swallow prepares to leave for Egypt, but the Happy Prince asks for one more night of
companionship.)

SWALLOW

(reluctantly)

I will stay with you for one more night.

Scene 7: City Streets

(The Swallow observes the suffering and poverty in the city.)

SWALLOW

(to the Happy Prince) The city is filled with misery. We must do more to help.

Scene 8: Poor House

(The Swallow and the Happy Prince distribute the remaining gold to the poor.)

SWALLOW

(to the Happy Prince)

We have given everything we can. The people are grateful.

Scene 9: City Square

(The statue is dismantled, and the broken lead heart and dead Swallow are discarded.)
 MAYOR

The Happy Prince is worthless now. We will replace it with a statue of myself.

Scene 10: Heavenly Garden

(The Angel presents the broken lead heart and dead Swallow to God.)

ANGEL

These are the most precious things in the city.

GOD

They have shown true selflessness. The Swallow shall sing in my garden forever, and the Happy Prince
shall praise me in my city of gold.

END OF THE SCRIPT