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Prince Forti and the Pauper

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Prince Forti and the Pauper

Once upon a time there was a curious prince who wanted to go out for a walk one day without his guards. As he was walking though a poor neighbourhood of the city, he discovered a boy who was the same size as him and exactly like him in every way.
- What are the chances of that? -said Prince Forti-. We are alike as two peas in a pod.
- That’s true – answered the pauper-. But I am dressed in rags and you are covered in silk and velvet.I would be happy if I could wear your clothes just for a minute.

So Prince Forti, ashamed of his wealth, took off his suit, shoes and the chain of the Order of the Serpent, incrusted with precious stones.
- You are exactly like me – repeated Prince Forti, who had dressed in the pauper’s clothes at the same time.

Pero en aquel momento llegó la guardia buscando al personaje y se llevaron al mendigo. El príncipe corría detrás queriendo convencerles de su error, pero fue inútil.

But just at that moment, the guard arrived looking for the prince, and took the pauper away. The prince ran after them, trying to convince them that there had been a mistake, but all to no avail.

The old king died that night and the pauper took the throne. He bore a grudge for the suffering that he had gone through in his life and he began to oppress his subjects, anxious for more wealth. Meanwhile, the true prince Forti waited outside the palace railings for them to throw him a piece of bread.
He told everyone in the city who he was and they took him for a madman. Tired of uselessly proclaiming his identity, he roamed the city in search of work. He carried out the hardest tasks for a miserable salary.

He had already grown up when war broke out with a neighbouring country. Spurred on by the love of his country, Prince Forti signed up for the army, whilst the pauper who occupied the throne continued enjoying his pleasures.

One day, in the heat of the battle, Forti the soldier went in search of the general. With an incredible nerve, he told him that his troops had been positioned wrongly and that the dead king, with his great strategies, would have planned the battle in a different way.

- How do you know that our beloved monarch would have done that?

- Because he taught me everything he knew.He was my father.

The general was unsure, but he followed soldier Forti`s advice and was able to make the enemy retreat. Afterwards he went in search of the boy, who he found next to a stream, bandaging an injury he had received to his shoulder. Next to his neck, three red lines could be seen.

- It is the sign that I saw on prince Forti just after he was born!- exclaimed the general.

He then understood that the person occupying the throne was not the true king and, with his authority, placed the crown on its real owner’s head.

Prince Forti had suffered too much and knew how to grant pardons. The usurper was not punished more than being given a daily job.

When the people praised their king’s governing skills and his great generosity, he replied: Today I can be a good king thanks to having lived and suffered with the people.

THE END (based on the story The Prince and the Pauper)