Truly one of the best stories ever told. A young, happy prince lives inside the castle walls, never knowing the struggles of his subjects until his death. After his death a gold statue with ruby eyes and other jewels in his sword is erected in his honor in the middle of town. The spirit of the young prince lives on in the statue and he despairs over the sadness of his people until he befriends a young swallow. He convinces the swallow to wait to fly south for the winter and to instead help him to help his subjects by taking the jewels embedded in the statue to various desperately poor people. After the jewels are all gone he instructs the swallow to strip him of his gold and distribute it among the people until there is nothing left but an ugly statue. The end brings tears to any eye. Definitely a story of love and kindness that will touch the heart of everyone both young and old.