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THE HAPPY PRINCE - Q&A

THINK ABOUT IT

1. Why do the courtiers call the prince 'the Happy Prince'? Is he really happy? What does he see all around him?
Answer:
Why he is called the Happy Prince: The courtiers called him the 'Happy Prince' because when he was alive and lived in the Palace of Sans-Souci, he did not know what tears were. Sorrow was not allowed to enter the palace, and he lived and died in happiness.

Is he really happy? No, he is not happy now. As a statue placed high above the city, he weeps because he can see the suffering of his people.

What he sees: From his high position, he sees all the ugliness and misery of his city, including the poor, the hungry, and the suffering, which makes his leaden heart cry.

2. Why does the Happy Prince send a ruby for the seamstress? What does the swallow do in the seamstress' house?
Answer:
Why the ruby was sent: The Happy Prince sent a ruby for the seamstress because she was very poor. Her face was thin and worn, and her hands were coarse and pricked by needles. Her little boy was lying ill in the corner of the room with a fever, asking for oranges. She had nothing to give him but river water, so the Prince took pity on her.

What the swallow does: The swallow hopped into the room and laid the great ruby on the table beside the woman's thimble. Then, he flew gently around the bed, fanning the boy's forehead with his wings, which made the boy feel cooler and fall into a deep sleep.

3. For whom does the prince send the sapphires and why?
Answer:
The Prince sends his two sapphire eyes for two people:
1. The Playwright: The first sapphire was sent to a young student in a garret who was trying to finish a play for the Director of the Theatre. He was too cold to write and faint with hunger. The sapphire would allow him to buy firewood and finish his play.
2. The Matchgirl: The second sapphire was sent to a little matchgirl. She had let her matches fall in the gutter, ruining them. She was crying because her father would beat her if she did not bring home some money. The sapphire was given to her so she would be happy and not get beaten.

4. What does the swallow see when it flies over the city?
Answer:
When the swallow flew over the city, it saw the stark contrast between the rich and the poor. It saw:
• The rich making merry in their beautiful houses.
• The beggars sitting at the gates.
• The white faces of starving children looking out listlessly from the black streets.
• Two little boys lying in each other's arms under a bridge to keep warm, only to be chased away by a watchman into the rain.

5. Why did the swallow not leave the prince and go to Egypt?
Answer:
The swallow decided not to leave the Prince and go to Egypt because the Prince had given away both his sapphire eyes to help others and was now completely blind. The swallow loved the Prince for his kindness and sacrifice, so he decided to stay with him forever to be his eyes and tell him what was happening in the city.

6. What are the precious things mentioned in the story? Why are they precious?
Answer:
The Precious Things: The two most precious things mentioned in the story are the leaden heart of the Happy Prince and the dead bird (the swallow).

Why they are precious: They are precious because they represent true love, sacrifice, and selflessness. The Prince gave everything he had to help the poor, and the swallow sacrificed his life to stay with the Prince. God's angel chose them as the most valuable things in the city because their good deeds earned them a place in Paradise forever.


TALK ABOUT IT

The little swallow says, "It 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:
(This is a self-experience question. Here is a sample answer you can use):
Yes, I have had such a feeling. The swallow felt warm because he had done a good deed by helping the sick boy. When we help others selflessly, it gives us a sense of inner satisfaction and happiness that makes us forget our own discomfort.

Example Experience: Once, on a very cold winter morning, I saw a shivering puppy on the street. I gave it my old blanket and some warm milk. Even though I was standing in the cold wind, seeing the puppy warm and comfortable made me feel very warm and happy inside.

Quick Navigation:
Quick Review Flashcards - Click to flip and test your knowledge!
Question
Where was the statue of the Happy Prince situated in the city?
Answer
It stood high above the city on a tall column.
Question
What material was used to cover the entire body of the Happy Prince statue?
Answer
Thin leaves of fine gold.
Question
Which gemstones served as the eyes of the Happy Prince?
Answer
Two bright sapphires.
Question
What was embedded in the sword hilt of the Happy Prince?
Answer
A large red ruby.
Question
Where were the swallow's friends travelling when he stayed behind?
Answer
They had gone to Egypt.
Question
Where did the swallow choose to sleep when he first arrived at the statue?
Answer
Between the feet of the Happy Prince.
Question
What initially led the swallow to believe it was raining despite a clear sky?
Answer
Tears falling from the eyes of the Happy Prince.
Question
Why did the Happy Prince never weep when he was a living human?
Answer
He lived in a palace where sorrow was not allowed to enter.
Question
What is the physical material of the Happy Prince's heart?
Answer
Lead.
Question
What allows the statue of the Happy Prince to see the misery of the city?
Answer
His high position on the pedestal.
Question
What is the profession of the woman living in the poor house in the little street?
Answer
She is a seamstress.
Question
Why were the seamstress's hands described as coarse, red, and pricked by a needle?
Answer
She had been embroidering flowers on a satin gown.
Question
What illness was the seamstress's little boy suffering from?
Answer
He had a fever.
Question
What specific item was the sick boy asking his mother for?
Answer
Oranges.
Question
What did the Prince ask the swallow to deliver to the seamstress?
Answer
The ruby from his sword hilt.
Question
Where did the swallow place the ruby inside the seamstress's house?
Answer
On the table beside the woman's thimble.
Question
How did the swallow comfort the sick boy in his bed?
Answer
By fanning the boy's forehead with his wings.
Question
Why did the swallow feel warm despite the cold weather after his first mission?
Answer
He had performed a good action.
Question
What was the young man in the garret trying to finish for the Director of the Theatre?
Answer
A play.
Question
Why was the young playwright unable to continue writing his play?
Answer
He was too cold and faint with hunger.
Question
According to the Prince, where were the sapphires in his eyes brought from?
Answer
They were brought out of India a thousand years ago.
Question
How did the swallow enter the young playwright's garret?
Answer
Through a hole in the roof.
Question
What did the playwright find on his desk that made him believe he was being appreciated?
Answer
A sapphire lying on withered violets.
Question
What happened to the matches belonging to the little girl in the square?
Answer
They fell into the gutter and were spoiled.
Question
Why was the little matchgirl crying in the square?
Answer
She feared her father would beat her for not bringing home money.
Question
What did the Prince command the swallow to do for the matchgirl?
Answer
Pluck out his other eye and give it to her.
Question
Why did the swallow promise to stay with the Prince always after the third mission?
Answer
The Prince was now completely blind.
Question
What did the Prince claim was the greatest mystery in the world?
Answer
Misery.
Question
What did the swallow observe the rich doing while flying over the city?
Answer
Making merry in their beautiful houses.
Question
Where were the beggars sitting when the swallow flew over the city?
Answer
At the gates of the rich houses.
Question
Why were two little boys lying in each other's arms under a bridge archway?
Answer
To try and keep themselves warm.
Question
What did the Prince instruct the swallow to do with the gold leaves covering his body?
Answer
Take them off leaf by leaf and give them to the poor.
Question
What change occurred in the children's faces after they received the gold leaves?
Answer
Their faces grew rosier and they laughed and played.
Question
How did the swallow try to keep himself warm as the frost arrived?
Answer
By flapping his wings and picking up crumbs outside the baker's door.
Question
Where did the swallow die?
Answer
At the feet of the Happy Prince.
Question
Whom did the swallow describe as the 'brother of Sleep'?
Answer
Death.
Question
What happened to the statue's leaden heart at the moment the swallow died?
Answer
It snapped right in two.
Question
What was the Mayor's reaction to the statue's appearance after the gold and gems were gone?
Answer
He described the Prince as 'shabby' and little better than a beggar.
Question
What new proclamation did the Mayor suggest regarding the town's birds?
Answer
That birds were not allowed to die there.
Question
Why did the University Art Professor suggest the statue should be pulled down?
Answer
He believed that because it was no longer beautiful, it was no longer useful.
Question
What part of the statue refused to melt in the foundry furnace?
Answer
The broken leaden heart.
Question
Where was the leaden heart discarded after the furnace failed to melt it?
Answer
On a dust heap where the dead swallow was lying.
Question
What two items did the Angel bring to God as the 'most precious things in the city'?
Answer
The leaden heart and the dead bird.
Question
What was the bird's eternal reward in Paradise?
Answer
To sing for ever more in the garden of Paradise.
Question
What was the Happy Prince's eternal reward in the city of gold?
Answer
To praise God for ever.
Question
Term: Seamstress
Answer
Definition: A woman who makes a living by sewing.
Question
Term: Thimble
Answer
Definition: A protective metal or plastic cap worn on the finger while sewing.
Question
Term: Garret
Answer
Definition: A small, dark room located at the very top of a house.