The Swineherd (By Hans Christian Andersen)

The Swineherd (By Hans Christian Andersen)

Disguised as a swineherd, Prince Augustin woos the emperor's daughter. When they finally fall in love, their happiness is threatened by the marriage plans of their parents. Will these young lovers get their happy ever after?

The Kingdom of Lichterwald is facing financial ruin and only by marrying a wealthy bride can Prince Augustin hope to prevent worse. After much prompting from his mother, he decides to marry no less than the emperor's daughter. But the most valuable treasures of his country – a nightingale that can sing every song ever heard and a rose whose scent can make one forget every sorrow and grief – fail to impress the princess. Undeterred, Augustin decides to remain at the palace as a swineherd, so that he can win the heart of his beloved. In the junk shop, he exchanges the nightingale and the rose for a pot and a wonderful rattle, which the princess decides she must have. Augustin offers to exchange them, first for 10 and then for 100 kisses. She agrees. The kisses are brief to start and then become more and more passionate. But their young love is threatened when the emperor decides that he wants to marry his daughter to the wealthy Prince Ferdinand. Augustin sneaks into the masquerade ball at which the wedding is to be announced. When his cover is blown, he is thrown out of the palace and returns to his mother in despair. She, however, has already chosen another princess to be his bride. But Victoria cannot forget her swineherd and decides to leave her lavish but emotionless life behind for one of freedom as a swineherd's wife with Augustin. But will she get to Augustin's palace in time to stop the planned wedding?