By Andrew Lang
by Andrew Lang · from Prince Prigio: From "His Own Fairy Book"
Adapted Version
A baby prince was born. His name was Prigio. He was very, very smart. This was a special gift. But at times, it made things hard for him.
Prigio grew up. He knew many facts. He did not know how to play. He did not know how to be kind. Other children did not play with him. His parents felt a little sad.
One day, a big, fiery dragon came. It scared all in the land. Prigio had smart ideas. But no one listened to him. The King and Queen ran away quickly. Prigio stayed in the castle.
Prigio found a secret room. It was an old attic in the castle. He saw many magic things there. He found a shiny sword. He found fast boots. He found a magic hat.
Prigio used the magic sword. He wore the fast boots. He put on the magic hat. He made the Fiery Dragon go away. But his people was gone. A Magic Fish made them like stone. They could not move.
Prigio went to a new land. He met Princess Rosalind there. She was kind and very pretty. Prigio liked her a lot. He wanted to marry her. He thought she was a special princess.
Princess Rosalind asked Prigio for help. He must find the Magic Fish. This fish made his people like stone. He must find other magic creatures. He must make his people well again.
Prigio found the Magic Fish. He used his smart ideas. He used his magic gifts. He made the fish stop its magic. His people became safe. They were not stone now.
Prigio learned that being smart is good. But being kind and brave is even better. He used his head. He used his heart. This made him a good prince for all.
Prigio married Princess Rosalind. He became a good king. He was smart. He was kind. He was brave. All loved King Prigio very much.
King Prigio and Queen Rosalind lived happy.
Original Story
By Andrew Lang
CONTENTS
Illustrations
Story DNA
Moral
True wisdom lies not just in knowledge, but in understanding and applying it with common sense, courage, and love.
Plot Summary
Prince Prigio is cursed by a fairy to be 'too clever', making him unpopular and his parents despair. When a Firedrake threatens the kingdom, his family flees, leaving him behind. Prigio discovers a garret of magical objects, which he uses to defeat the Firedrake and later the Remora, which had turned his family to stone. Through these adventures and falling in love with Princess Rosalind, Prigio learns to temper his cleverness with common sense, courage, and love, eventually becoming a wise and beloved king.
Themes
Emotional Arc
arrogance to humility to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Andrew Lang was a prominent folklorist and writer, known for his collections of 'Fairy Books'. This story is an original fairy tale by him, often seen as a commentary on traditional fairy tale tropes and the nature of intelligence.
Plot Beats (10)
- King and Queen of Pantouflia have a son, Prigio, who is cursed by a fairy to be 'too clever'.
- Prigio grows up incredibly intelligent but lacks common sense and is disliked by everyone, including his parents.
- A Firedrake threatens the kingdom, and Prigio's clever suggestions are ignored; the royal family flees, leaving Prigio behind.
- Prigio discovers a garret filled with magical objects, including the Sword of Sharpness, the Seven-League Boots, and the Cap of Darkness.
- He uses these objects to defeat the Firedrake, but his family is still missing, having been turned into statues by the Remora.
- Prigio travels to a neighboring kingdom, falls in love with Princess Rosalind, and seeks to marry her.
- To win Rosalind, Prigio must undertake quests to defeat the Remora and other magical creatures that have afflicted his family.
- He confronts the Remora, using his cleverness and the magical items to overcome it and restore his family.
- Prigio learns the importance of courage, love, and common sense, tempering his excessive cleverness.
- He marries Rosalind and becomes a wise and beloved king, ruling Pantouflia justly.
Characters
Prince Prigio
Of average height and slender build, with a generally unremarkable appearance that belies his extraordinary intellect. He is not described as particularly handsome or imposing, but rather as having a thoughtful, often preoccupied air.
Attire: Initially, he wears the standard formal attire of a prince in a European court of the late 19th century, consisting of well-tailored suits or court uniforms in rich fabrics like velvet or brocade, often in subdued colors like deep blue or forest green, adorned with minimal, tasteful embroidery. Later, he might adopt more practical, academic-looking clothing, such as a tweed jacket and trousers, when engaged in his studies or adventures.
Wants: Initially, to prove the superiority of logic and reason over superstition and magic. Later, his motivation shifts to protecting his loved ones and saving his kingdom, which requires him to embrace the very magic he once scorned.
Flaw: His excessive reliance on logic and cynicism, which blinds him to the power of emotion and magic, making him initially dismissive and unprepared for the challenges he faces.
Transforms from a cynical, detached intellectual who scorns magic into a courageous, loving hero who embraces the power of both logic and magic to save his kingdom and win his true love.
Intelligent, logical, cynical, initially arrogant, ultimately courageous, and deeply loving. He values reason above all else and is initially dismissive of magic and sentiment.
Princess Rosalind
Described as beautiful, with a gentle and kind demeanor. She possesses a natural grace and charm that contrasts with Prigio's intellectualism.
Attire: Elegant and flowing gowns made of fine silks and satins in soft, romantic colors like rose, lavender, or pale blue, adorned with delicate lace or subtle embroidery. Her attire is always tasteful and reflects her royal status without being overly ostentatious.
Wants: To find true love and happiness, and to support her kingdom and those she cares for.
Flaw: Her gentleness could be perceived as a lack of assertiveness, though she proves to be strong when necessary.
Remains largely consistent in her good nature, serving as a catalyst for Prigio's change and a steadfast source of support.
Kind, gentle, courageous, loyal, and possesses a strong sense of duty and love. She is not easily swayed by appearances and sees the good in Prigio despite his flaws.
The King
A portly, jovial man, somewhat past his prime, with a comfortable and well-fed appearance. He is not particularly imposing but exudes an air of good-natured authority.
Attire: Richly embroidered royal robes in deep reds or purples, often made of velvet or brocade, with a heavy gold chain of office. His crown is likely ornate but perhaps a little askew, reflecting his somewhat disorganized nature.
Wants: To maintain peace and comfort in his kingdom, and to enjoy his royal life without too much trouble. He wants his children to be happy, though he often misunderstands how to achieve it.
Flaw: His lack of intelligence and tendency to be easily swayed or confused, making him a poor leader in times of crisis.
Remains largely consistent, serving as a foil to Prigio's intellect and a representation of the traditional, somewhat ineffective, monarchy.
Good-natured, somewhat foolish, easily flustered, fond of comfort and tradition, but ultimately loving towards his family. He struggles with the complexities of his kingdom and relies on others.
The Queen
A stately and dignified woman, though perhaps a bit vain and prone to hysterics. She maintains a regal appearance despite her emotional nature.
Attire: Formal court gowns in rich fabrics like silk or brocade, often in jewel tones such as emerald green or sapphire blue, with elaborate sleeves and a wide skirt. She wears significant jewelry, including a tiara or crown, and necklaces.
Wants: To maintain the dignity and prestige of the royal family, and to ensure her children marry well. She desires respect and adherence to tradition.
Flaw: Her vanity, emotional outbursts, and inability to cope with anything outside of her rigid social expectations.
Remains largely consistent, serving as a representation of the rigid, traditional court that Prigio must navigate and eventually save.
Vain, emotional, easily offended, traditional, but ultimately cares for her family. She is very concerned with appearances and social etiquette.
The Firedrake
A magnificent, fearsome dragon-like creature, covered in scales that shimmer with the colors of fire – reds, oranges, and golds. It is large and powerful, with leathery wings and sharp claws.
Attire: None, as it is a creature, but its scales and natural form serve as its 'attire'.
Wants: Initially, to defend itself and its territory. Once under Prigio's control, its motivation is to serve its master, though it retains its wild nature.
Flaw: Can be controlled by a sufficiently clever and brave individual, and is susceptible to certain magical items (like the Remora).
Initially an antagonist, it is subdued by Prigio and becomes a powerful, if reluctant, ally.
Fierce, loyal (once subdued), powerful, ancient, and initially destructive. It possesses a primal intelligence and a strong sense of self-preservation.
The Remora
A small, unassuming fish, described as having the power to stop anything. It is likely a dull, silvery-grey color, with a flat, suction-cup like disc on its head.
Attire: None, as it is a fish.
Wants: None, it is a magical item/creature whose power is activated by others.
Flaw: Its power is only effective when applied by another; it cannot act independently.
Remains a magical item, its role is to be discovered and used.
Passive, powerful in its effect, but without a discernible personality of its own. It is an object of power rather than a sentient being.
The Black Cat
A sleek, entirely black cat, with bright, intelligent green eyes. She is agile and graceful, with soft fur.
Attire: None, as she is an animal.
Wants: To be near Prigio and offer companionship, and perhaps to subtly influence events for his benefit.
Flaw: As a cat, she has no magical powers of her own beyond her keen senses and intuition.
Remains a consistent, comforting presence for Prigio, a silent witness to his adventures.
Loyal, intelligent, observant, and somewhat mischievous. She is a silent companion and a source of comfort and occasional guidance.
Locations
The Royal Palace of Pantouflia
A grand European palace, likely late Renaissance or Baroque in style, with large halls, royal nurseries, and eventually a dusty, forgotten garret. The architecture would feature ornate plasterwork, large windows, and possibly tapestries.
Mood: Initially grand and bustling, later quiet and neglected in certain areas, then restored to its former glory.
Prince Prigio's birth and christening, his childhood, his discovery of the magical items in the garret, and his eventual return as king.
The Firedrake's Lair (Volcano)
A desolate, volcanic landscape, likely in a colder, more rugged European region, characterized by jagged rocks, smoking vents, and a central, active volcano with a fiery crater. The air would be thick with ash and sulfur.
Mood: Dangerous, foreboding, infernal, desolate.
Prince Prigio's confrontation with the Firedrake to obtain its scales.
The Remora's Lake
A vast, cold, and stormy lake, possibly a fjord or a large mountain lake in a northern European setting, surrounded by dark, craggy cliffs and sparse, wind-battered vegetation. The water is turbulent and dark.
Mood: Treacherous, wild, isolated, dangerous.
Prince Prigio's perilous journey to capture the Remora.