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Class 9, The Happy Prince, Introduction, This story is about a Prince. When the prince was alive, he was very happy. After his death, a big statue, of his was erected on a pedestal. From there, the statue of Prince could see the entire city and at that, time he saw the miseries of the people. He saw the poor people, the homeless, their hunger, and, starvation. The Prince was sad to see all these miseries, sadness of the people. So in this chapter, we will, study the story of this prince., Summary – Once in a town there lived a prince. He was called the Happy Prince because he had been, happy all his life. After his death, his statue was erected on a tall pedestal in the middle of the town. The, statue was covered with gold and had two precious sapphire stones embedded in the eyes. A ruby stone, had been fitted into the handle of his sword. From there, he could see all around the place and realized, that the people lived in a lot of poverty and misery. This sight saddened the prince and being helpless,, he would weep to see the plight of his people., One day a swallow bird was flying through the city, on its way to Egypt to meet its friends. On the way, it, took shelter for the night at the feet of the statue of the happy prince. The bird realized that the statue, was weeping and upon inquiry, realized the plight of the prince. The helpless prince requested the bird, to help it by becoming its messenger. After initial refusal, the bird agreed and took the ruby stone out of, the sword hilt and delivered it to a poor seamstress. The next morning, as he went to bid goodbye, the, statue convinced him to stay back for one more day. That day, the bird was asked to remove the, sapphire stone from one of the statue’s eyes and deliver it to a young playwright. Also, on the third day, the bird had to pull out the second sapphire stone for a poor match girl. By this time, the weather had, become cold and the bird had developed an attachment with the statue. The bird did not want to leave, the statue which had now become blind. The happy prince asked the bird to go around the city and, inform him of the condition of the people living there. The bird told him that the rich were making merry, while the poor lived in misery. As the happy prince did not have any more precious stones, he ordered, the bird to remove the gold foils from his body and distribute them among the living who needed, money for survival. Gradually, the statue of the prince lost its covering of gold and became dull and grey., On the other hand, the poor became joyous as they got bread to eat. The swallow bird was now unable, to withstand the cold weather and realized that death was approaching. It informed the statue that it, had to leave and the statue, who loved the bird asked it to kiss him. As the bird died and fell at the, statue’s feet, a strange sound came out of the statue – the sound of the breaking of its heart. Although, the statue’s heart was made of lead, it broke as it was overwhelmed with affection towards the bird., When the statue was melted in the furnace, the heart did not melt and was thrown in the garbage. It, landed near the swallow’s body. God’s angels took both the dead swallow and the broken heart to him, as they were the most precious things on land., Vocabulary words
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Gilded: to covered with something, coating of something, Hilt: the handle of a weapon or tool, especially a sword, dagger, or knife, Swallow: a tiny bird, Drenched: soaked with water, Coarse: rough, Seamstress: a woman who makes a living by sewing., Pedestal: raised platform, Mast: sail of the ship, Steeple: high tower of the church, Garret: small dark room at the top of the house, Withered: worn out, Violet: kind of flower, Grate: fireplace, Darted: pushed himself inside, Harbor: sea port, Swooped: fly very low, Proclamation: order, rule, Foundry: workshop for casting metals, Question Answers, Think about it, (Page 36), Q1. Why do the courtiers call the prince ‘the Happy Prince’? Is he really happy? What does he see all, around him?, A. The prince was called the ‘Happy Prince’ because all his life, he had lived in happiness. After, his death, his statue was put up in the middle of the town. Form there he could see the plight of, the people which made him unhappy. The sight of poor, sad people made him unhappy.
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Q2. Why does the Happy Prince send a ruby for the seamstress? What does the swallow do in the, seamstress‘ house?, A. The happy prince saw that the poor seamstress was tired and had no money to look after her ill, son. He thought of helping her by sending her the ruby. The swallow placed the ruby stone on, the worktable next to the thimble. Them it flew over to the sick child who was uneasy. As his, mother had dozed off while working, and the boy was feeling hot, the swallow flapped its wings, to give him some air. This comforted the boy and put him to sleep., Q3. For whom does the prince send the sapphires and why?, A. The playwright was very poor. He was incapable of buying food and firewood. The prince sent, the sapphires for the playwright so that he could finish a play for the director of the theatre in, time. The princes sent his second sapphire to a poor match girl. Her matches had fallen into the, gutter. She was afraid that her father would beat her for this loss. So, she was helped by the, prince by sending her the second sapphire., Q4. What does the swallow see when it flies over the city?, A. The swallow bird saw the rich making merry in their beautiful houses, while the beggars were, sitting at the gates. He flew into dark lanes, and saw the white faces of starving children looking, out listlessly at the black streets. Under the archway of a bridge two little boys were lying in, each oothe's arms trying to keep themselves warm. They were hungry. They ran away from, there when the watchman shouted at them., Q5. Why did the swallow not leave the prince and go to Egypt?, A. The swallow bird did not leave the prince as it loved him. As the statue was blind, the bird, wanted to remain with it., Q6. What are the precious things mentioned in the story? Why are they precious?, A. The two precious things are the dead swallow bird and the statue’s broken heart. According to, God, they were precious because in the garden of paradise, the little bird shall sing for ever, more and in heaven, the Happy Prince’s heart shall praise God., Talk about it, (Page 36), Question 1. The little swallow says, “ft is curious, but I feel quite warm now, although it is so cold.”, Have you ever had such a feeling? Share your experience with your friends., Answer: Man is a social animal. He is social because he is dependent on others to lead a satisfactory life., In this regard mutual help is required. Whenever we help others, there is a feeling of satisfaction., Whenever we are helped by others, we feel grateful. It is because helping others is the essence of life.
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In this chapter the little swallow feels warmth when he helps the needy people. He does his act of, selfless service with utmost dedication and sacrifice. Owing to this selfless service he becomes satisfied., Yes, I have experienced such a feeling many a time. I believe in helping others. Others too help me, whenever I am in need. I help others considering it my duty. I remember the day when I started helping, others. Since the day I feel more confident and have become a successful citizen. I feel the presence of, God around me.
