The Prince and the Pauper facts for kids
The Prince and the Pauper is a famous book written by Mark Twain. It was first published in 1882. This exciting story has been made into many different versions, including plays for the stage, shows for television, and movies.
Contents
What is the Story About?
The story takes place in England in the year 1547. This was a time when King Henry VIII was very happy because his son, Prince Edward, was born. The King had many daughters before Edward, so a son was very important.
By chance, Prince Edward, who was the son of King Henry VIII, met a poor boy named Tom Canty. Tom was a pauper, meaning he was very poor. What was amazing was that Prince Edward and Tom looked exactly alike, like identical twins!
The Switch: Prince and Pauper Trade Places
Just for fun, the Prince and Tom decided to trade clothes. But then, something unexpected happened. The real prince, Edward, was accidentally thrown out of the palace because people thought he was just Tom, the pauper. At the same time, everyone inside the palace believed that Tom was the real prince!
Now, both Edward and Tom had to live in a world that was very different from what they knew. They were treated in ways they did not understand.
Life Outside the Palace
Tom lived the life of a prince inside the palace. Meanwhile, on the streets of London, Edward was helped by a kind nobleman named Miles Hendon. Edward traveled with Miles all around England. During this journey, Edward saw and experienced the terrible poverty and cruel treatment that poor people faced every day. This was a very important experience for him.
Who Will Be King?
Later, King Henry VIII died. People began to prepare for Tom, who they thought was the prince, to become the next King. But at the crowning ceremony, the real Prince Edward arrived! He announced that he was the true Prince.
In the end, Tom and Edward were able to explain everything. Edward became the rightful King of England. Tom Canty was given a special position called "The King's Ward." This meant he could live a comfortable life forever. Miles Hendon, the nobleman who helped Edward, was made an Earl.
King Edward's rule was very good for the common and poor people. This was because he had lived like them for a while and truly understood how hard their lives could be. Sadly, King Edward died when he was still very young.
Related pages
Images for kids
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The pauper and Prince Edward as imagined in 1899
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William Faversham and Ruth Findlay in a Broadway play of The Prince and the Pauper (1920)
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A 1946 Classic Comics cover for the story
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See also
In Spanish: El príncipe y el mendigo para niños
