The Doomed Prince

Here is one of the oldest stories ever written down, retold in clear, present-day English. In a land where the gods answer the prayers of a childless king, a long-awaited son is born — only to receive a fateful decree from the Seven Hathors: the boy will die by a crocodile, a serpent, or a dog. Determined to outwit destiny, the king hides his son in a desert house, but the prince grows restless, begs for a dog of his own, and eventually rides out into the world. His journey brings him to a princess locked in a tower, a speaking hound, a cunning crocodile, and a night that tests love's courage. Faithful to the spirit and the surviving text of the ancient original, this edition smooths the old phrasing while keeping every surprising turn, and it includes notes on the story's history. Part of The World Scriptures Library.