1. Why do the courtiers call the prince ‘the Happy Prince’? Is he really happy? What does he see all around him? (5 Marks)
Answer:-The courtiers called him the Happy Prince because, while he was alive, he lived in a beautiful palace where there was no sorrow or suffering. He enjoyed luxury and believed that everyone was happy like him. After his death, his statue was placed high above the city, from where he could see the real condition of the people. He saw poverty, hunger, sickness and suffering everywhere. Poor children, hungry people and hardworking families lived in misery. Seeing their pain made him weep. Thus, although he was called the Happy Prince, he was no longer happy because he deeply cared for the poor.
2. Why does the Happy Prince send a ruby for the seamstress? What does the swallow do in the seamstress’ house? (5 Marks)
Answer:-The Happy Prince sent the ruby because he saw a poor seamstress working hard to finish a beautiful dress for the Queen's maid of honour. Her little son was seriously ill with fever and was asking for oranges, but she had no money to buy food or medicine. The Prince felt sorry for them and asked the swallow to take the ruby from his sword-hilt. The swallow flew to the woman's house, placed the ruby beside her thimble and gently fanned the sick boy with his wings. The cool breeze helped the child sleep peacefully, and the swallow returned feeling warm after doing a good deed.
3. For whom does the Prince send the sapphires and why? (5 Marks)
Answer:-The Happy Prince gave away both his sapphire eyes to help two needy people. He sent the first sapphire to a poor young playwright who was hungry and cold and could not finish his play because he had no money for food or firewood. The second sapphire was sent to a poor matchgirl whose matches had fallen into the gutter. She feared that her father would beat her for returning home without money. By giving away his precious eyes, the Prince became blind, but he was happy because he could reduce the suffering of others through his kindness and generosity.
4. What does the swallow see when it flies over the city? (5 Marks)
Answer:-When the swallow flew over the city, it saw a great difference between the lives of the rich and the poor. The rich people were enjoying themselves in their beautiful houses with plenty of food and comfort. On the other hand, the poor suffered from hunger and poverty. Beggars sat at the gates, while starving children wandered through dark streets looking weak and hopeless. Under a bridge, two little boys lay close together to keep themselves warm, but they were driven away by a watchman. The swallow realised that the city was full of misery and returned to tell everything to the Happy Prince.
5. Why did the swallow not leave the Prince and go to Egypt? (5 Marks)
Answer:-The swallow first stayed because the Happy Prince requested him to help poor people. As he carried the Prince's ruby, sapphires and gold leaves to those in need, he became deeply attached to the Prince. He admired the Prince's kindness and unselfish nature. Even when winter arrived and Egypt would have been warm and pleasant, the swallow refused to leave because the Prince had become blind and needed his help. The swallow chose friendship and compassion over his own comfort. Finally, weakened by the cold, he died peacefully at the Prince's feet after kissing him goodbye.
6. What are the precious things mentioned in the story? Why are they precious? (5 Marks)
Answer:- At the end of the story, God asks an angel to bring Him the two most precious things in the city. The angel brings the leaden heart of the Happy Prince and the dead swallow. These are precious not because of their material value but because of their love, sacrifice and kindness. The Prince gave away all his jewels and gold to help the poor, while the swallow sacrificed his journey to Egypt and finally his own life to serve the Prince. Their selfless actions made them truly valuable. Therefore, God rewarded them with a place in Paradise.
Extra Questions and Answers
1. Why does the Happy Prince cry although he is called the Happy Prince? (5 Marks)
Answer: The Happy Prince cries because, after his death, he can see the pain and suffering of the poor people in the city. From his high statue, he sees the misery of the people and cannot remain silent. When he was alive in the palace, he never knew sadness because he lived a life of comfort. Now he feels helpless as he cannot move from his pedestal. His kind heart cannot bear the suffering of others. Therefore, he asks the swallow to help the needy by giving away his ruby, sapphires, and gold. This shows that true happiness comes from helping others, not from wealth or luxury.
2. Describe the friendship between the Happy Prince and the Swallow. (5 Marks)
Answer: The friendship between the Happy Prince and the Swallow is based on kindness, trust, and sacrifice. At first, the swallow wants to fly to Egypt, but he stays because the Prince requests his help. His kind heart cannot bear the suffering of others, so he becomes the Prince's messenger. The swallow carries the ruby, sapphires, and gold to poor people without expecting any reward. As winter becomes colder, he remains with the Prince instead of leaving. This shows that true friendship is based on love and sacrifice. In the end, the swallow dies beside the Prince, proving his loyalty and selfless nature.
3. How did the Happy Prince help the poor people of the city? (5 Marks)
Answer: The Happy Prince helped the poor people by giving away everything he possessed. From his high statue, he sees the misery of the people and cannot remain silent. He first sends his ruby to the poor seamstress, then gives one sapphire to the young playwright and the other to the little matchgirl. After that, he asks the swallow to remove all the gold leaves covering his body and distribute them among the poor. As a result, hungry children get food and needy people receive help. This shows that true happiness comes from helping others, not from wealth or luxury.
4. Describe the sacrifices made by the Swallow. (5 Marks)
Answer: The Swallow makes many sacrifices to help the Happy Prince. Although he wishes to fly to warm Egypt, he stays behind to carry the Prince's gifts to the poor. This shows that true friendship is based on love and sacrifice. He works day and night in the freezing cold without caring for his own comfort. Gradually, he becomes weak because he cannot find enough food or warmth. Even when the Prince asks him to leave, he refuses because of his love and loyalty. His kind heart cannot bear the suffering of others. Finally, he dies peacefully at the Prince's feet after completing his noble work.
5. Why were the Mayor and the Town Councillors unable to understand the real value of the Happy Prince? (5 Marks)
Answer: The Mayor and the Town Councillors judged the Happy Prince only by his outer appearance. When his ruby, sapphires, and gold disappeared, they declared that he was no longer useful because he had become ugly. This shows that true happiness comes from helping others, not from wealth or luxury. They did not know that the Prince had sacrificed everything for the poor. Instead of respecting his kindness, they melted down the statue. From his high statue, he sees the misery of the people and cannot remain silent, but the Mayor cared only about beauty and appearance. Their actions reveal their selfishness and lack of compassion.
6. What message does Oscar Wilde give through "The Happy Prince"? (5 Marks)
Answer: Oscar Wilde teaches that kindness, love, and sacrifice are the greatest qualities of human life. His kind heart cannot bear the suffering of others, and this is shown through both the Happy Prince and the Swallow. They willingly give away everything they have to help the poor without expecting anything in return. Their physical beauty disappears, but their goodness becomes greater than ever. Even though society fails to recognise their value, God rewards them in the end. This shows that true happiness comes from helping others, not from wealth or luxury. The story encourages us to care for others and become kind, selfless people.
7. Why are the leaden heart and the dead swallow called the two most precious things? (5 Marks)
Answer: The leaden heart and the dead swallow are called the two most precious things because they represent pure love and selfless sacrifice. This shows that true friendship is based on love and sacrifice. The Prince gives away all his jewels and gold to help poor people, while the Swallow risks his own life by staying through the cold winter to serve the Prince. Though both lose everything, they never complain or seek praise. God values their goodness more than riches or beauty. His kind heart cannot bear the suffering of others, and that compassion makes them the most precious in the entire city.
8. Write the character sketch of the Happy Prince. (5 Marks)
Answer: The Happy Prince is kind, generous, loving, and selfless. After his death, from his high statue, he sees the misery of the people and cannot remain silent. He feels deep sympathy for the poor and decides to help them by giving away his ruby, sapphires, and golden covering. He never thinks about his own beauty or comfort. His kind heart cannot bear the suffering of others, so he sacrifices everything for the needy. He is also humble and grateful to the Swallow for helping him. This shows that true happiness comes from helping others, not from wealth or luxury.
9. Write the character sketch of the Swallow. (5 Marks)
Answer:The Swallow is kind-hearted, loyal, brave, and selfless. At first, he plans to fly to Egypt, but he changes his decision after listening to the Happy Prince. This shows that true friendship is based on love and sacrifice. He delivers the Prince's ruby, sapphires, and gold to poor people without expecting any reward. He works tirelessly in the freezing cold and becomes weak because he stays to help others. His kind heart cannot bear the suffering of others, so he chooses duty over comfort. In the end, he dies beside the Happy Prince, proving his love, loyalty, and noble character.
