《王子与乞丐》是美国文豪马克·吐温于1881年创作的作品。这个故事是用很久以前就在英国流传的《王子和侍从》的故事为素材而创作的。由于偶然的巧合，面貌酷似的王子和乞丐团互换衣服，从而导致了命运的颠倒，上演了一幕幕悲喜剧。生活在对方立场上的两个少年，在此期间懂得了很多东西。王子深深了解了民间疾苦，乞丐也体会到了统治一个国家的艰辛。这个故事里隐含着人人平等的观念，而且告诉我们如果想成为一个正直的人，就必须要接受教育，必须做无愧于良心的事，还要有勇气。不同的人身份可以不同，要紧的是要有一颗正直、善良的心，只有这样的人，才算得上是真正的人。希望正在读这篇故事的小朋友们，能从中学到即使在困境中也决不失去梦想、希望和勇气的精神，树立正直、诚实、善良的美德，走好自己的人生之路。

A favorite children"s book for over a century, The Prince and the Pauper is the fanciful story of two sixteenth-century boys who exchange identities. One is Edward, the young son of Henry VIII, and the other is Tom Canty, a poor London beggar. When the two boys, who happen to have been born on the same day and look remarkably alike, meet one day by chance, they decide to trade clothes--and lives.

Young Tom takes on the trappings of royalty and despite some initial problems, manages to conduct himself properly and convince all that he is, indeed, the prince. Edward, now a homeless waif, is forced to beg for a living, discovering along the way countless injustices inflicted upon the lower classes. Many twists and turns of plot find the two once again confronting each other--this time just as young Tom is about to be crowned king.

Full of humor and thrilling adventure, this edition has been skillfully abridged to retain all the excitement and flavor of the original while streamlining the text for young readers. Twenty-eight new illustrations help bring the story to life.

1. The Birth of the Prince and the Pauper

2. Tom"s Meeting with the Prince

3. The Prince"s Troubles Begin

4. Tom as a Prince

5. The Trapped Prince

6. The Prince and His Deliverer

7. "The King Is Dead-Long Live the King!"

8. Foo-foo the First

9. Down by Law

10. Tom"s Progress

11. Edward as King