Once there lived a vain Queen and greedy King who had everything they could possibly desire, except a child. They sought the advice of a Wizard who offered to help if they would pay him thirty-three bags of gold. But the King couldn't part with so many precious coins, even for a child, and he tried to deceive the Wizard with lead pieces dipped in gold. The Wizard kept his promise, but the child born to the King and Queen was shaped like a donkey. And, according to the Wizard's spell, he would look like a donkey forever unless he was loved as a human being. The Donkey Prince was dressed in fancy clothes, was taught manners and was given lessons like any other prince. But no one could forget that he was only a donkey – especially not the King and Queen. So one day, the lonely prince set out from the castle to find a new land where someone could love him in spite of his donkey skin.
