The Prince and the Fakir
A king, childless and burdened by his sins, lies at a crossroads, hoping for forgiveness and a son. A Fakir encounters him and offers to grant his wish in exchange for one of the two sons he will have. The king agrees and, after a year, has two sons. However, he hides them away in an underground room. When the Fakir returns, the king presents him with two slave-girls' sons instead. The Fakir, discerning the deception through a conversation between ants, insists on seeing the true sons. The Fakir takes the elder son, who, after a series of events, ends up defeating the Fakir and freeing various imprisoned creatures. The king's son embarks on a journey with these creatures, eventually encountering a bald man. They engage in a fight, and the king's son wins, making the bald man his slave. He leaves his creatures under the bald man's watch and ventures into a city. While bathing, the king's daughter sees the royal marks on him and decides she will marry him. The king announces a gathering for her to choose a husband. Disguised as a Fakir, the king's son attends. The princess recognizes him and insists on marrying him, leading to their union despite the king's initial discontent. Later, the new prince organizes a hunting expedition, showcasing his prowess by bringing in a significant catch, unlike the other princes. He reveals his true identity to the king, who is overjoyed and embraces him, ultimately offering him the kingdom. The story concludes with the prince's rise to power and fulfillment of his destiny.
By Joseph Jacobs · First published 1893 · Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Adventure · 1,899 words
First lines
There was once upon a time a King who had no children. Now this King went and laid him down to rest at a place where four roads met, so that everyone who passed had to step over him.
At last a Fakir came along, and he said to the King, "Man, why are you lying here?"
What this Textopian page supports
The Prince and the Fakir is listed on Textopian as a short story by Joseph Jacobs, dated 1893 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Joseph Jacobs
- Date: 1893 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Fairy Tale, Adventure, Folklore, Children's Literature
- Length: 1,899 words
- Structure: 1 section, 43 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Prince and the Fakir by Joseph Jacobs
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Prince and the Fakir?
- How does this short story by Joseph Jacobs fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Fantasy — The story involves magical elements such as a Fakir with supernatural abilities and the transformation of characters, typical of the fantasy genre.
- Fairy Tale — The narrative structure, moral lessons, and the presence of royalty and magical beings align with traditional fairy tale conventions.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a journey filled with challenges, encounters, and personal growth, characteristic of adventure stories.
- Folklore — The story reflects cultural themes and moral lessons common in folklore, often passed down through generations.
Tags
Folklore · Mythology · Fairy Tale · Magic Realism · Coming of Age · Self Discovery · Friendship · Adventure · Fantasy · Realistic Fiction · Social Class · Cultural Identity