The Happy Prince Story & Moral — An Oscar Wilde Tale About Giving
What kind of story is The Happy Prince?
The Happy Prince is Oscar Wilde's fairy tale about a statue covered in gold and jewels who, together with a swallow, helps his poor neighbors. It carries the warm message that true happiness comes when we share.
The original Happy Prince story
The Irish author Oscar Wilde published it in 1888 as the title piece of his fairy tale collection The Happy Prince and Other Tales. It's a story in which a prince statue sends a swallow to give away his gold and jewels to the poor, portraying a self-sacrificing love.
A summary of the Happy Prince story
Seeing the sorrows of the city from high above, the Happy Prince statue asks the swallow to give away the ruby from his sword-hilt, the sapphires that are his eyes, and the gold covering his body to his poor neighbors. In the cold winter, the warm hearts of the prince and the swallow, who stays by his side to the very end, leave a deep and moving impression.
The moral of The Happy Prince
The heart of it is that true happiness comes when you share what you have, and love is not afraid of sacrifice. Talk with your child about, "If I shared what I have, what could I give?"
How to read it aloud to your child
Read the prince gently and kindly, and the swallow with warmth. Since it's a somewhat sad story, point out the spirit of giving with, "Why did the prince give away all of his jewels?" and wrap the sadness in warmth. Best suited for ages 5–7.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What age is The Happy Prince good for?
A. It's best suited for ages 5–7. With its deep themes of giving and self-sacrificing love, it's wonderful for a time when children's emotions are growing richer.
Q. Is it a somewhat sad story?
A. It's a tender story that leaves a warm, moving impression. It helps to unpack the sadness in terms of the meaning of giving.
Q. What kinds of conversations are good to have?
A. Talk together about "things I can share" and "neighbors who need help."
Classic fairy tales to read together
If you enjoyed this story, try reading these classic fairy tales too.
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