The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition, Vol. 07

A charming, epistolary introduction sets the stage, as the narrator reaches out across continents to a dear friend, recalling a forgotten little prince whose world once lay hidden among the tangled vines of an old wooden house. The prose paints a vivid picture of Grünewald, a vanished principality nestled in hilly, pine‑scented woods, where streams feed tiny mills and the air hums with the sounds of village life. Through warm, slightly nostalgic language, the reader senses the gentle humor and earnest ambition that drive the prince’s early days.

The story launches as Prince Otto leaves his secluded home, embarking on an adventure that carries him beyond the familiar borders of his realm. Early scenes describe the rustic charm of Mittwalden’s wooden hamlets, the lively market of the surrounding plains, and the promise of distant lands waiting to be explored. With a blend of lyrical description and subtle wit, the opening invites listeners to follow a modest hero into a world where even the smallest journey feels grand.