Tonight, we’ll read a fairy tale called “The Invisible Prince,” found in “The Yellow Fairy Book” edited by Andrew Lang and published in 1894. This story is about The Prince of Air and how he overcame adversity and found his way to The Golden Isle.
Andrew Lang was a Scottish poet, novelist, and literary critic best known for his influential "Fairy Books"—a twelve-volume series that gathered tales from a wide range of cultures. Each volume was named for a different color and included a mix of well-known stories and lesser-known folktales, translated and adapted with the help of his wife, Leonora.
“The Invisible Prince” is thought to be drawn from a French literary fairy tale, originally penned by Madame d’Aulnoy or one of her contemporaries in the 17th century. These stories often featured enchanted beings, clever heroines, and extravagant settings. This particular tale leans into the fanciful, involving a kingdom in the sky, magical invisibility, and a hero who must conceal his identity in order to reclaim his fate. It reflects the courtly tone and elaborate imagination that were hallmarks of French salon storytelling.