Long, long ago two boys were born on the same day in the same city. Tom Canty was born to a poor family, who couldn't afford another child. Prince Edward was born to a royal family, who welcomed the new heir to the throne.
A dozen years later, both boys lived by the river. While Edward lived in a magnificent palace, Tom lived in a shabby room in a poor neighborhood. While Edward's father was King Henry, Tom's father was John Canty, a thief. John often made Tom and his sister, Nancy, beg for money.
As Tom headed out to beg one January morning, he met Father Andrew. The priest had taught him how to read and write as well as some Latin. But what Tom liked best were Father Andrew's tales of palaces and princes.
"Do you have a story for me today, Father?" Tom asked.
"Of course!" the priest said as they walked together. "Once upon a time there was a prince named Richard . . ."
Because of Father Andrew's wonderful stories, Tom sometimes pretended to be a prince. This amused his friends, but they also enjoyed his game—except when he made them the servants.
All too soon Tom and Father Andrew arrived at the priest's church.
"We'll finish Prince Richard's story later," Father Andrew said.
"I can't wait!" Then Tom sighed. "It's time to ask strangers for money."
Tom hated begging, but his family needed the money. Most people ignored him, so he was surprised when someone tapped his shoulder later that day.
"What's this? A prince begging?"
Tom turned to find his best friend, Julian Witt, laughing.
"You have mocked royalty and are sentenced to prison!" Tom joked. Then, in his regular voice, he added, "I need a break. Let's see if anybody wants to play by the river."
Julian turned pale. "The river?"
"Oh, sorry! I forgot about what happened to you there. We'll stay away from the water today."
The boys found their friends, and the afternoon passed quickly. Prince Tom pardoned Julian, gave orders to his army, and met with his royal advisers.
"Your Highness, the sun is setting," Julian said.
"Oh no!" Tom gulped. "I have only one coin for my father!"
For a moment Tom thought about not going home, but he didn't want to miss supper. Reluctantly, he said good-bye and headed home.
"Where have you been?" Tom's father yelled. "You'd better have lots of money!"
"People weren't in a generous mood." Tom handed over his one coin.
"'A generous mood.'" John Canty echoed Tom's words. "Where do you learn this stuff? Probably from that priest."
That reminded Tom of something. "I wonder if Father Andrew has any books about Prince Richard," he thought. "Maybe I could—"
"Are you listening?" John shouted. "I said, go to bed!"
"Oh, don't send him to bed without supper," Tom's mother pleaded. Meanwhile Nancy tried to stay out of her father's way.
"Don't interfere!" John said to his wife. "To bed, Tom! Now!"
Tom went to a corner and untangled some old blankets. He made himself as comfortable as possible on the straw covering the wood floor. But for a long time, his hunger and his parents' arguing kept him awake. He tried to distract himself.
"How many princes has Father Andrew told me about?" Tom thought. "William, Richard, James . . ."
Tom drifted off, thinking of a distant kingdom. In his dream he was surrounded by lords and ladies, beautiful music, and delicious food. Everyone bowed to Prince Tom and obeyed his orders.
The next morning Tom awoke in the same filthy room on Offal Street. He was still hungry and still wearing his ragged clothes.
Tom sighed with disappointment. "I'll only be a prince in my dreams," he thought, slipping outside before anyone else woke up. "But maybe someday I'll meet a real one."
As Tom wandered along the river, he lost track of time and where he was. After a while he came upon a magnificent building.
Tom's eyes grew wide. "Could this be the king's palace?"
He joined a few people waiting near a golden gate. Suddenly a boy and a man appeared in the courtyard beyond the gate. Dressed in silk and velvet, the boy wore a sword at his hip. Tom heard the man call the boy "Your Highness."
"A prince!" Tom rushed forward for a better look.
Immediately a guard grabbed Tom's hand and jerked him away. "Step back, you pauper!"
The people laughed.
But the prince ran to the gate and scolded the guard. "How dare you treat a poor boy like that! Open the gate at once, and let him in!"