Perl does not have a simple HTTP server as part of its core modules. You will always have to download something from CPAN, which will always involve a bit more effort than your Python one-liner.

So what is your point exactly? ... or are you just venting?

If you want to use Perl to its fullest potential, you really should take the time to get to know how to use CPAN properly, and then yes, it will become relatively "easy".