The Happy Prince

Author : Oscar Wilde
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781980374022
Total Pages : 35 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (74 download)

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Download or read book The Happy Prince, and Other Tales (Annotated) written by Oscar Wilde and published by . This book was released on 2018-02-23 with total page 35 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This is an annotated version of the book1. contains an updated biography of the author at the end of the book for a better understanding of the text.2. This book has been checked and corrected for spelling errorsHIGH above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of the HappyPrince. He was gilded all over with thin leaves of fine gold, for eyeshe had two bright sapphires, and a large red ruby glowed on hissword-hilt.He was very much admired indeed. "He is as beautiful as a weathercock,"remarked one of the Town Councillors who wished to gain a reputation forhaving artistic tastes; "only not quite so useful," he added, fearinglest people should think him unpractical, which he really was not."Why can't you be like the Happy Prince?" asked a sensible mother of herlittle boy who was crying for the moon. "The Happy Prince never dreamsof crying for anything.""I am glad there is some one in the world who is quite happy," muttered adisappointed man as he gazed at the wonderful statue."He looks just like an angel," said the Charity Children as they came outof the cathedral in their bright scarlet cloaks and their clean whitepinafores."How do you know?" said the Mathematical Master, "you have never seenone.""Ah! but we have, in our dreams," answered the children; and theMathematical Master frowned and looked very severe, for he did notapprove of children dreaming.One night there flew over the city a little Swallow. His friends hadgone away to Egypt six weeks before, but he had stayed behind, for he wasin love with the most beautiful Reed. He had met her early in the springas he was flying down the river after a big yellow moth, and had been soattracted by her slender waist that he had stopped to talk to her."Shall I love you?" said the Swallow, who liked to come to the point atonce, and the Reed made him a low bow. So he flew round and round her,touching the water with his wings, and making silver ripples. This washis courtship, and it lasted all through the summer."It is a ridiculous attachment," twittered the other Swallows; "she hasno money, and far too many relations"; and indeed the river was quitefull of Reeds. Then, when the autumn came they all flew away.After they had gone he felt lonely, and began to tire of his lady-love."She has no conversation," he said, "and I am afraid that she is acoquette, for she is always flirting with the wind." And certainly,whenever the wind blew, the Reed made the most graceful curtseys. "Iadmit that she is domestic," he continued, "but I love travelling, and mywife, consequently, should love travelling also.""Will you come away with me?" he said finally to her; but the Reed shookher head, she was so attached to her home."You have been trifling with me," he cried. "I am off to the Pyramids.Good-bye!" and he flew away.All day long he flew, and at night-time he arrived at the city. "Whereshall I put up?" he said; "I hope the town has made preparations."Then he saw the statue on the tall column."I will put up there," he cried; "it is a fine position, with plenty offresh air." So he alighted just between the feet of the Happy Prince."I have a golden bedroom," he said softly to himself as he looked round,and he prepared to go to sleep; but just as he was putting his head underhis wing a large drop of water fell on him. "What a curious thing!" hecried; "there is not a single cloud in the sky, the stars are quite clearand bright, and yet it is raining. The climate in the north of Europe isreally dreadful. The Reed used to like the rain, but that was merely herselfishness."Then another drop fell."What is the use of a statue if it cannot keep the rain off?" he said; "Imust look for a good chimney-pot," and he determined to fly away.