The Prince and the Pauper: Spiritual Insights from Classic Literature, #7

By Ruth ONeil

It's a case of mistaken identity. Even when both boys try to convince people of their error, no one believes them. Read the book and this devotional together so your family can grow closer to each other and closer to God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ruth ONeil
• Release date: Jun 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9798201685096

Ruth ONeil

Ruth O’Neil has been a freelance writer for 20-plus years. She sees everything as a writing opportunity in disguise, whether it is an interesting character, setting, or situation. You can find her book series “What a Difference a Year Makes” on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or her website (http://ruthoneil.weebly.com/). You can also visit her on her blog at http://ruths-real-life.blogspot.com/. When she’s not writing or homeschooling her kids, Ruth spends her time quilting, reading, scrapbooking, camping and hiking with her family.

Book preview

Introduction

Mark Twain wrote The Prince and the Pauper as a book for children, but adults have also fallen in love with it. He subtitled the book, A Tale for Young People of All Ages. It was first published in 1881 and is a story about mistaken identity and judging people by their outer appearances. Everything is not always as it seems as you will find when Prince Edward and Tom Canty change places in life and society. Both have to adapt to new things when no one believes who they say they are.

Multiple versions of The Prince and the Pauper have appeared everywhere from book stores to stage to film, making it a well-known and beloved classic.

There is a lot of history in this story, which Twain footnotes throughout the book. Those are interesting to read. If you're looking for an entertaining and educational read, then grab a copy and give The Prince and the Pauper a try.

Reading level - Grades 6-8

Chapter One

In the ancient city of London, on a certain autumn day in the second quarter of the sixteenth century, a boy was born to a poor family of the name Canty, who did not want him.

Have you ever felt that no one wanted you?

Mark Twain introduces us to Tom Canty, whose birth was neither welcomed nor celebrated. In fact, he was completely unwanted, especially by his father and grandmother. From the day of his birth, they had no cares for him beyond what he could do for them, which as a child, wasn't much. Instead of teaching him to be a productive member of society, they forced him to steal just so they could eat.

We are told Tom was born in the 16th century, about 500 years ago, but you know something unfortunate? He wasn't the first child to be born unwanted, and he won't be the last. There are children born today who are unloved and unwanted.

But there's good news. No matter what circumstances we are born into, God knows us better than anyone else does.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you (Jeremiah 1:5a NIV).

Before we were born, God loved us.

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: 'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness' (Jeremiah 31:3 NIV).

Before we were born, God had all our days planned out for us.

'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future' Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

What a wonderful feeling to know that our Creator loves us more than anyone on this earth ever could, and He wants to be a part of our lives each and every day.

On those days that you feel unloved and unwanted, pray to your heavenly Father and allow Him to speak to your heart so you can feel His love for you.

Chapter Two

Among, but not of, the dreadful rabble that inhabited the house was a good old priest whom the king had turned out of house and home with a pension of a few farthings, and he used to get the children aside and teach them right ways secretly.

Has there ever been a time when you wondered why you were in the place you were?

This poor priest, who we know very little about, had been demoted by the king. Instead of preaching in the church or teaching wealthy boys in a respected school, he was now living among the destitute rabble of the city. We don't know why Father Andre was there, except that we can assume he did something to make the king mad, but we are told what he did there. He made the most of a less than desirable situation by teaching Tom and other children, who otherwise would have had no education at all. He didn't wallow in self-pity because of his situation, but instead, kept doing what he was called to do, possibly changing the life of young Tom forever.

There will more than