The Little Lame Prince by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

(6 User reviews)   6985
By Betty Young Posted on Dec 25, 2025
In Category - Tech Balance
Craik, Dinah Maria Mulock, 1826-1887 Craik, Dinah Maria Mulock, 1826-1887
English
Hey, have you ever read a fairy tale that feels like a warm hug but also makes you think? I just finished 'The Little Lame Prince' and it's exactly that. It's about a young prince, Prince Dolor, who is born with legs that don't work. After a tragedy, his wicked uncle banishes him to a lonely tower, telling everyone he died. The story follows his lonely childhood with only a magical godmother for company, and the incredible journey he must take to reclaim his stolen kingdom. It's not just a story about magic carpets (though yes, there's one of those!). It's really about finding your strength when the world tells you you're weak, and discovering that what makes you different might just be your greatest gift. It's surprisingly deep for a children's story, and I couldn't put it down.
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grade, recommending the study of certain pictures by well-known masters. As Supervisor of Drawing I found that the children enjoyed this work but that the teachers felt incompetent to conduct the lessons as they lacked time to look up the subject and to gather adequate material. Recourse to a great many books was necessary and often while much information could usually be found about the artist, very little was available about his pictures. Hence I began collecting information about the pictures and preparing the lessons for the teachers just as I would give them myself to pupils of their grade. My plan does not include many pictures during the year, as this is to be only a part of the art work and is not intended to take the place of drawing. The lessons in this grade may be used for the usual drawing period of from twenty to thirty minutes, and have been successfully given in that time. However, the most satisfactory way of using the books is as supplementary readers, thus permitting each child to study the pictures and read the stories himself. FLORA L. CARPENTER ------------------------------------------------------------------------ STORIES PICTURES TELL [Illustration] SIR GALAHAD =Questions to arouse interest.= Who is this man? How is he dressed? What do his armor and title “Sir” tell us he is? How many have read Tennyson’s poems telling the story of the knights of the Round Table? What does Sir Galahad look as if he were about to do? Why do you think he is starting on a journey, rather than returning from one? Why do you think it must be an important journey? How will he go? What was expected of a knight in those days? Tell of some of their good deeds. What would you judge the character of this knight to be? Where is he represented in this picture? Is he walking, or standing still? looking at something in particular, or lost in thought? Does he appear angry, meek, determined, hesitating, thoughtful, or dreamy? What do his clasped hands indicate? What color is the horse? Upon what part of the man and horse does the light fall? What would you consider the main thought expressed in this picture? =Original Picture=: Collection Alexander Henderson, M.P., London, England. =Artist=: George Frederick Watts (wŏts). =Birthplace=: London, England. =Dates=: Born, 1817; died, 1904. =The story of the picture.= Many wonderful stories have been told of the famous knights of the Middle Ages, but none perhaps more interesting than the adventures of the knight Sir Galahad when he went in search of the Holy Grail. In those times the greatest praise a boy could hope to receive was “You are brave enough to become a knight some day,” or “You are as courteous as a knight”; and his greatest ambition was to receive this title as he knelt before his sovereign or a superior knight. In those days boys were carefully trained for knighthood, just as for any other profession. They were sent away from home when very young, and spent at least ten years under severe discipline and training. The boy Galahad had passed through these years of preparation. He had been taught to be quick in action,—managing a horse so that he could jump on or off while it was in full gallop,—to throw his spear with sure aim, to run swiftly, to obey all commands promptly; and, more difficult still, he had learned to wait patiently and uncomplainingly when he could not understand why he should wait. Now he was twenty-one years old. Knighthood had been bestowed upon him, according to the...

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Let me tell you about this hidden gem I found. 'The Little Lame Prince' is a classic fairy tale with a lot of heart.

The Story

Prince Dolor is born a prince, but a childhood illness leaves him unable to walk. When his parents die, his power-hungry uncle seizes the throne. To get rid of the true heir, the uncle spreads a lie that the boy has died and secretly imprisons him in a solitary tower high in the mountains. There, Dolor grows up alone, with only his kind Nurse and occasional visits from his mysterious fairy godmother for company. She gives him a magical traveling cloak, which becomes his legs, his eyes, and his escape. Through his flights, Dolor sees the real world—its beauty and its suffering—and grows from a lonely boy into a wise and compassionate young man, preparing for the day he might face his destiny.

Why You Should Read It

This book completely surprised me. On the surface, it's a simple fairy tale, but it tackles big ideas with a gentle touch. It's about isolation, resilience, and the kind of strength that has nothing to do with physical power. Dolor's lameness isn't a problem to be magically fixed; it's part of who he is, and his journey is about working with it, not in spite of it. His time alone forces him to think and feel deeply, which makes him a better ruler than any 'perfect' prince could have been. It's a beautiful reminder that our perceived weaknesses can shape our greatest strengths.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect read for anyone who loves thoughtful fairy tales like The Secret Garden or George MacDonald's stories. It's great for younger readers ready for a chapter book with substance, and equally rewarding for adults who appreciate classic children's literature that doesn't talk down to its audience. If you're looking for a story that's comforting, wise, and quietly powerful, Prince Dolor's adventure is waiting for you.



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James Thomas
1 year ago

To be perfectly clear, the plot twists are genuinely surprising. Exactly what I needed.

Ethan Perez
5 months ago

Solid story.

Noah Jackson
2 years ago

I came across this while browsing and the atmosphere created is totally immersive. I would gladly recommend this title.

Carol Moore
1 year ago

My professor recommended this, and I see why.

Michelle Jones
1 year ago

Very helpful, thanks.

5
5 out of 5 (6 User reviews )

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