High above the city stood the statue of the Happy Prince. He was covered with thin gold leaves. His eyes were two bright sapphires. A large red ruby glowed on his sword. He stood on a tall column. From there he could see far across the streets. The roofs of the houses were grey. But the statue shone like a sun. The people loved him. "He is as beautiful as a weathervane," said one councillor. "But not so useful," he added. Children loved to look at the Prince. Mothers said to their unhappy children, "Be like the Happy Prince. He never cries."