The Happy Prince (E.E)

Happy Prince

a)What did the Happy Prince request the Swallow to do? Why do you think he did this?

a) The Happy Prince was standing on a tall column and could easily see the ugliness and misery. He requested the Swallow to stay with him and be his messenger in helping the needy with the gold and gems from his statue.

b. Why did the Swallow stay back with the Happy Prince? Do you think he did the right thing?

b) The Swallow was kind hearted and so stayed back with the lonely Prince out of pity and compassion. The Prince had been generous in helping all those he could. The swallow brought disaster upon himself knowing well that he could not withstand the cold winter. The Prince also did not realize that he was being harsh on the sparrow.

c. ‘It is curious,’ he remarked, ‘but I feel quite warm now, although it is so cold.’ Who said this and why?

c) The Swallow said these words after he had delivered the ruby from the sword of the Prince to a poor seamstress. He felt warm because he had done a good deed.

d. Why did the angel choose the lead heart and the dead bird?

d) The angel chose the lead heart and the dead bird because the two had helped the needy without a regard to their own selves.

e. Do you think this story has a sad ending? Why do you think the author gave the story a sad ending?

e) The story has a sad ending to show the ultimate sacrifice of the Prince and swallow in helping the others.

New Words

Column : an upright pillar, typically cylindrical, supporting an arch,or other structure or standing alone as a monument.

Misery :  distress or suffering caused by need, privation, or poverty

Pity :    the feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the sufferings and misfortunes of others.

Compassion :  sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

Disaster : an event or fact that has unfortunate consequences

Harsh : cruel or severe.

Seamstress:  a woman who sews, especially one who earns her living by sewing.

Ultimate: being the best or most extreme example of its kind.