The narrative unfolds in a royal garden where a conversation between Ferdinand and the King reveals their concerns about the Prince's reckless nature and the dangers of adventure. Ferdinand advocates for allowing the Prince to explore and learn from life, while the King expresses a desire to protect him from the harsh realities that come with maturity. As they converse, Gow, a servant, enters with the lifeless body of the Prince, discovered after a fatal fall while attempting to pluck nectarines from a wall. Gow fabricates a story to shield the truth of the Prince's death, threatening the Gardener to comply with his narrative. The King, upon discovering the identity of the body, is devastated, lamenting the loss of his son and reflecting on the youth's innocence and the bond he shared with the Queen. The Gardener, mortally wounded by Gow, reveals that he witnessed the Prince's fall from the Queen's chamber window, implicating a scandal that could tarnish the royal family. Gow, realizing the implications of this revelation, kills the Gardener to silence him, further entangling himself in the web of deceit. The King, overwhelmed by grief, collapses and dies, leaving Gow to contemplate the consequences of his actions. As the narrative concludes, Gow prepares to flee, aware that the Queen may seek vengeance for the death of her son and the truth behind the tragedy. The story encapsulates themes of innocence, the burdens of leadership, and the tragic consequences of secrets and lies within a royal context.
By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1935 · Genre: Tragedy, Drama, Literary Fiction