
A chance encounter on a bustling London street brings together two boys whose lives could not be more different. One is a squalid street‑urchin, surviving on scraps and dreaming of a better life; the other is the heir to the throne, raised in opulent splendor yet yearning for freedom. When a mix‑up leads them to trade clothes, each steps into a world that is both bewildering and eye‑opening.
The pauper, now dressed in royal robes, is thrust into the grand halls of the palace, forced to answer to courtiers and obey strict etiquette he has never known. Meanwhile, the prince, clad in tattered rags, must navigate the harsh streets, confront thieves, and learn how ordinary people survive. Their sudden role‑reversal sets off a chain of misunderstandings, humor, and hard‑won lessons about justice, empathy, and the true meaning of power.
As they scramble to keep their secret while each faces the pressures of the other's life, both boys discover that the world they thought they understood is far more complex than it seemed. Their adventure promises a fresh look at class, identity, and the unexpected kindness that can arise when two very different lives intertwine.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (391K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger. The earliest PG edition was prepared by Les Bowler
Release date
2004-07-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1835–1910
Best known for bringing the Mississippi River, small-town America, and sharp humor vividly to life, this American writer turned everyday speech into unforgettable literature. Under the pen name Mark Twain, Samuel Langhorne Clemens became one of the most famous and most quoted authors of the 19th century.
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