A benevolent king saves a wounded rabbit, which turns out to be the fairy Candide. She promises to befriend his son, Prince Cherry, but can only offer guidance, not goodness. After the king's death, Cherry receives a magical ring that pricks him when he misbehaves. Initially, he is a good prince, but he succumbs to bad temper and cruelty, leading him to discard the ring. His actions spiral into tyranny, culminating in his transformation into a monstrous creature by Candide as punishment for his misdeeds. Captured by bear hunters, he reflects on his past and begins to show kindness, eventually transforming back into a dog after saving his keeper from a tiger. Despite his new form, he longs for his lost love, Zelia. After several trials, including witnessing the suffering of others, he is transformed into a white pigeon and eventually finds Zelia again. Their mutual love breaks the enchantment, restoring him to his human form. Candide reveals herself as a hermit and returns Cherry to his rightful place as king, where he rules justly alongside Zelia, never again pricked by the ring, symbolizing his moral integrity.
By Dinah Mulock · First published 1839 · Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Children's Literature