Oscar Wilde's story about a prince's statue and a swallow
Introduction to CBSE Solutions for Class 9 English Chapter "The Happy Prince”
The story begins with a description of a statue of a prince covered in gold and precious stones. One day, a swallow passing through the city seeks shelter under the statue’s shelter. The swallow learns that the prince was once a real prince who lived in luxury and never knew about the sufferings of his people. After his death, his statue is erected, and he can see the poverty and misery around him.
Moved by the sight, the prince asks the swallow to take the ruby from his sword, the sapphires from his eyes, and the gold leaf from his body to help the poor. The swallow, despite being on his way to Egypt for the winter, decides to stay and help the prince. Together, they distribute the jewels and gold to the needy.
As winter approaches, the swallow dies due to the cold, and the prince’s heart breaks seeing the dead swallow. An angel takes the swallow’s soul to heaven, and the prince’s leaden heart breaks. The mayor and councilors see the statue is no longer beautiful and order it to be melted down. However, they spare the leaden heart, which they cannot melt. The angel takes the prince and the swallow to heaven, where they live forever in happiness.
Assignment and Activities for CBSE Class 9 English: “The Happy Prince”
- Write a diary entry from the perspective of the swallow, describing the events in the story.
- Imagine you are the prince. Write a letter to the swallow thanking him for his selfless act.
- Create a poster advocating for kindness and compassion towards the less fortunate.
- Write a short play based on the story, focusing on the interaction between the prince and the swallow.
- Discuss with your classmates the moral lessons you learned from “The Happy Prince.”
Conclusion : “The Happy Prince”
“The Happy Prince” is a touching story that teaches us valuable lessons about empathy, kindness, and sacrifice. It reminds us that true happiness comes from helping others and that our actions can have a profound impact on those around us. The story encourages us to be compassionate and generous, just like the happy prince and the selfless swallow.
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Questions and Answers for CBSE Class 9 English: “The Happy Prince"
Q1: Who is the author of “The Happy Prince”?
ANS: Oscar Wilde is the author of “The Happy Prince.”
Q2: What is the statue of the happy prince made of?
ANS: The statue of the happy prince is made of gold, with sapphires for eyes and a ruby on his sword hilt.
Q3: Why does the swallow decide to stay with the prince?
ANS: The swallow decides to stay with the prince to help him distribute his jewels and gold to the poor.
Q4: How does the swallow die?
ANS: The swallow dies from the cold winter weather.
Q5: What happens to the prince’s heart after the swallow dies?
ANS: The prince’s heart breaks into two pieces, one of which is taken to heaven by an angel.
Q6: What is the moral of “The Happy Prince”?
ANS: The moral of “The Happy Prince” is about the importance of selflessness, compassion, and helping those in need.
Q7: Why is the prince called the happy prince?
ANS: The prince is called the happy prince because he is happy in the afterlife, knowing that he has helped the poor and needy.
Q8: What happens to the statue of the happy prince at the end of the story?
ANS: The statue of the happy prince is melted down by the mayor and councilors, but his leaden heart remains intact.
Q9: How does the swallow help the prince?
ANS: The swallow helps the prince by carrying out his wishes to distribute his jewels and gold to the poor.
Q10: What do you think the swallow symbolizes in the story?
ANS: The swallow symbolizes selflessness, sacrifice, and the importance of helping others.
