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THE INVISIBLE PRINCE
Once upon a time there lived a Fairy who had power over the
earth； the sea； fire； and the air； and this Fairy had four sons。
The eldest； who was quick and lively； with a vivid imagination；
she made Lord of Fire； which was in her opinion the noblest of
all the elements。 To the second son； whose wisdom and prudence
made amends for his being rather dull； she gave the government of
the earth。 The third was wild and savage； and of monstrous
stature； and the Fairy； his mother； who was ashamed of his
defects； hoped to hide them by creating him King of the Seas。
The youngest； who was the slave of his passions and of a very
uncertain temper； became Prince of the Air。
Being the youngest； he was naturally his mother's favourite； but
this did not blind her to his weaknesses； and she foresaw that
some day he would suffer much pain through falling in love。 So
she thought the best thing she could do was to bring him up with
a horror of women； and； to her great delight； she saw this
dislike only increased as he grew older。 From his earliest
childhood he heard nothing but stories of princes who had fallen
into all sorts of troubles through love； and she drew such
terrible pictures of poor little Cupid that the young man had no
difficulty in believing that he was the root of all evil。
All the time that this wise mother could spare from filling her
son with hatred for all womenkind she passed in giving him a love
of the pleasures of the chase； which henceforth became his chief
joy。 For his amusement she had made a new forest； planted with
the most splendid trees； and turned loose in it every animal that
could be found in any of the four quarters of the globe。 In the
midst of this forest she built a palace which had not its equal
for beauty in the whole world； and then she considered that she
had done enough to make any prince happy。
Now it is all very well to abuse the God of Love； but a man
cannot struggle against his fate。 In his secret heart the Prince
got tired of his mother's constant talk on this subject； and when
one day she quitted the palace to attend to some business；
begging him never to go beyond the grounds； he at once jumped at
the chance of disobeying her。
Left to himself the Prince soon forgot the wise counsels of his
mother； and feeling very much bored with his own company； he
ordered some of the spirits of the air to carry him to the court
of a neighbouring sovereign。 This kingdom was situated in the
Island of Roses； where the climate is so delicious that the grass
is always green and the flowers always sweet。 The waves； instead
of beating on the rocks； seemed to die gently on the shore；
clusters of golden bushes covered the land； and the vines were
bent low with grapes。
The King of this island had a daughter named Rosalie； who was
more lovely than any girl in the whole world。 No sooner had the
eyes of the Prince of the Air rested on her than he forgot all
the terrible woes which had been prophesied to him ever since he
was born； for in one single moment the plans of years are often
upset。 He instantly began to think how best to make himself
happy； and the shortest way that occurred to him was to have
Rosalie carried off by his attendant spirits。
It is easy to imagine the feelings of the King when he found that
his daughter had vanished。 He wept her loss night and day； and
his only comfort was to talk over it with a young and unknown
prince； who had just arrived at the Court。 Alas！ he did not
know what a deep interest the stranger had in Rosalie； for he too
had seen her； and had fallen a victim to her charms。
One day the King； more sorrowful than usual； was walking sadly
along the sea…shore； when after a long silence the unknown
Prince； who was his only companion； suddenly spoke。 'There is no
evil without a remedy；' he said to the unhappy father； 'and if
you will promise me your daughter in marriage； I will undertake
to bring her back to you。'
'You are trying to soothe me by vain promises；' answered the
King。 'Did I not see her caught up into the air； in spite of
cries which would have softened the heart of any one but the
barbarian who has robbed me of her？ The unfortunate girl is
pining away in some unknown land； where perhaps no foot of man
has ever trod； and I shall see her no more。 But go； generous
stranger； bring back Rosalie if you can； and live happy with her
ever after in this country； of which I now declare you heir。'
Although the stranger's name and rank were unknown to Rosalie's
father； he was really the son of the King of the Golden Isle；
which had for capital a city that extended from one sea to
another。 The walls； washed by the quiet waters； were covered
with gold； which made one think of the yellow sands。 Above them
was a rampart of orange and lemon trees； and all the streets were
paved with gold。
The King of this beautiful island had one son； for whom a life of
adventure had been foretold at his birth。 This so frightened his
father and mother that in order to comfort them a Fairy； who
happened to be present at the time； produced a little pebble
which she told them to keep for the Prince till he grew up； as by
putting it in his mouth he would become invisible； as long as he
did not try to speak； for if he did the stone would lose all its
virtue。 In this way the good fairy hoped that the Prince would
be protected against all dangers。
No sooner did the Prince begin to grow out of boyhood than he
longed to see if the other countries of the world were as
splendid as the one in which he lived。 So； under pretence of
visiting some small islands that belonged to his father； he set
out。 But a frightful storm drove his ship on to unknown shores；
where most of his followers were put to death by the savages； and
the Prince himself only managed to escape by making use of his
magic pebble。 By this means he passed through the midst of them
unseen； and wandered on till he reached the coast； where he
re…embarked on board his ship。
The first land he sighted was the Island of Roses； and he went at
once to the court of the King； Rosalie's father。 The moment his
eyes beheld the Princess； he fell in love with her like everyone
else。
He had already spent several months in this condition when the
Prince of the Air whirled her away； to the grief and despair of
every man on the island。 But sad though everybody was； the
Prince of the Golden Isle was perfectly inconsolable； and he
passed both days and nights in bemoaning his loss。
'Alas！' he cried； 'shall I never see my lovely Princess again？'
Who knows where she may be； and what fairy may have her in his
keeping？ I am only a man； but I am strong in my love； and I will
seek the whole world through till I find her。'
So saying； he left the court； and made ready for his journey。
He travelled many weary days without hearing a single wo