Second Prize
The Prince and the Pauper is the most interesting book that I have read. The author is Mark Twain. The story is about Tom Canty and Edward Tudor who looked alike, but their lives could hardly be more different. For Edward is a royal prince, heir to the throne while Tom is a miserable pauper.
One morning Tom is called into the palace by the Prince who sees him being hit by the guards at the gate. They soon become friends and the prince has a desire to experience the games which Tom played. Tom was overjoyed. The Prince who disguises himself as a pauper leaves into the outer world and then for a while each has to live the other's life.
On the fateful day of crowning the wrong prince to the throne, Edward and his long term friend Miles have a row with guards at the palace gates. Tom orders the guards to bring them in. This is a mesmerising story which I really love.
L.H.T. DASHAN,
GRADE 10, MAHINDA COLLEGE,
GALLE.