Over the centuries, humans have adorned themselves with gold and precious stones. Yet this decoration brings no happiness unless we also gild our souls with virtue.
In his short story “The Happy Prince,” Oscar Wilde shows us that, when we adorn our souls with virtue and selflessness, we not only inherit redemption, but we also gain true happiness.
Journeying to Egypt, a Swallow decides to rest under the statue of the Happy Prince, which is covered in gold with two bright sapphire eyes and a ruby on his sword hilt. Yet, when his golden refuge drips on him and he checks for rain, the Swallow soon realizes that the drops are the Happy Prince’s tears….