Tom Canty was very poor. He and his family were paupers. His farther did not work. The whole family lived in one room in an old house in the poorest part of London. They slept on the floor.

Every day Tom and his two sisters went out to beg for money in the streets. It was a very unhappy life for them.

Father Andrew lived in a small room at the back of the same old house. Every day Tom went to sit with Father Andrew to listen to stories about kings and princes. Father Andrew taught Tom how to speak nicely and how to be like a prince.

When Tom was playing with his friends he pretended that he was a prince.

Sometimes the boys laughed at him and called him Prince Tom but they liked him.

The king of England at that time was King Henry the Eighth who lived in Westminster Palace. He had a son Prince Edward.

One day Tom went to the gate of the Palace to see the Prince. There were two soldiers standing there . They would not let Tom come close. He went to the gate day after day. One day he saw a boy coming out of the gate. Tom ran to him so as to see him better. One of the soldiers said: "Keep back!" and he hit Tom so hard that he fell down on the ground. The Prince saw this and he was angry. "Why did you hit the poor boy?" he said. "Open the gate, and bring him in. The King, my father,is king of all the people,rich and poor,"said Prince Edward. "Bring the boy in."

So the soldier opened the gate and the Prince led Tom in. "Come with me,"said the Prince. "Tell me who you are and why do you want to see me so much. You have been coming to the gate day after day. I have seen you from my window." He led Tom to a room iside the Palace and called a servant. "Bring food " he said.

"Now tell me about yourself. What's your name? Where do you live?" Said the Prince. "I live with my father and mother and grandmother and my two sisters in a room in an old house."

"In one room?" said the Prince."Do you all live in one room?" "Yes,"said Tom.

"There are hundreds of rooms in this palace. Why do you all have to live in one room?"

"We are very poor," said Tom. "My father sends me out to beg for money. If I don't bring back enough money,he beats me."

"Do you play with other boys?" asked the Prince.

"Of course ,I do" answered Tom.

"I don't. What do you play?" said the Prince.

"I play with a ball,and I play by the river,and I swim. And sometimes I play at being a prince."

"I would like to play at being a poor boy like you,and play by the river,and swim. Let's change clothes. Just for a little time you shall be the prince and I'll be the poor beggar boy. Come,let's change clothes "said the Prince and took off his nice clothes and put on Tom's clothes.

"Come and look here said the Prince as he stood there in front of a mirror. They were just like each other. "Stay here till I come back"said the prince and left.

Edward went along the street .The people did not follow him. They were afraid of poor people. Perhaps the boy might be dangerous. Edward wandered in the streets of London. He arrived in front of a school for poor boys that the King had built. He told aboy to go and tell his teacher that Prince Edward was there. But nobody believed him. Three or four boys took Edward and threw him into some dirty water laughing. He finally arrived to Tom's house.

"What money have you got for me?" shouted John Canty.

"I am not Tom.I am the Prince" said Edward.

"You are mad,quite mad "said John Canty " and tomorrow you will have to bring me more money or I'll spank you."

Tom was alone in the Prince's room in the Palace. The door opened and a beautiful girl got in. "Come" she said " our father wants to see you.

"I am not your brother " said Tom falling on his knees."I am a poor beggar boy. Send for the Prince and ask him."

"Come on" said Lady Jane and led him through the rooms to the king's

bedroom. King Henry the eighth was very ill lying in bed.

"Come on Edward" said the King "tell your father what are you afraid of."

"Sir, I am not your son ! I am not he prince . I am a poor boy."

"Stop this foolishness! You are the Prince " he shouted and ordered Lord Hertford to escort him to the city banquet.

Meanwhile John Canty was really angry with Edward who hasn't brought him any money and he was dragging him home shouting at him. Father Andrew tried to save the boy and was hit dead by John Canty. When John Canty understood what has happened he ran home and told his wife and daughters. "Run quickly,they are chasing us. I'll meet you at the London Bridge" and he grabbed Edward and led him through the narrow paths until they came near the river. There were a lot of people gathered there waiting to see Prince Edward in the Royal Barge Going to the banquet. Suddenly Edward got free from Canty's grasp and started running to the Guildhall.

There was a great deal of talk and laughter there. Soldiers were standing at the door. "I am Prince Edward! Open the door and let me pass! "ordered Edward but nobody believed him. They laughed at him and thought that he was mad. Suddenly a man named Miles Hendon came out of the crowd and told Edward:"I don't know if you are the Prince or not but you are a brave boy and I will help you," and quickly led Edward away. As soon they were safely awy from the crowd they heard the sound of shouting behind them. "King Henry is dead! Long live King Edward!"

"So I am now the king" said Edward. "Prince or King" said Miles,it's all the same to me. "You are a brave boy and I will take care of you. " And he led the boy to his room at the back of an inn and gave him food to eat and clean clothes to wear.

Tom was not happy at all in the Palace. Everybody was calling him "Your Majesty" and two gentlemen were folowing him all the day. He had to sign papers and documents all day long and he missed playiong with his friends.

All the the great lords and ladies of the country were gathering in Westminster Abbey . Tom was ready to put on the fine clothes in which he would be crowned when he heard that Lord Hendon and a boy saying that he was the King stood at the gate.

"Bring the boy here" ordered Tom.

When Edward was brought to him Tom threw himself on his knees and cried: "Your Majesty. You have come just in time."

Edward raised Tom up,and they stood side by side. The lords and gentlemen in the room realised how they looked alike. Lord Hertford turned to Edward and asked him questions about King Henry,about the palace and those who worked in it and Edward answered all of them. He turned to Tom and asked him where the Great Seal was. Tom did not know what to answer when Edward shouted: " Look inside the arm-piece of the suit of armour in my room and you will find it." "Oh that round thing that I used to crack nuts " said Tom,and everybody laughed.