The Selfish Giant: Summary & Moral — An Oscar Wilde Tale About Sharing
What kind of story is The Selfish Giant?
The Selfish Giant is a classic tale by Oscar Wilde (1888) that carries the truth that spring only comes once you tear down your walls and open your heart. Its message that spring never arrives where nothing is shared stays warmly in a child's heart.
The original story
Titled "The Selfish Giant," it was included in Oscar Wilde's 1888 collection "The Happy Prince and Other Tales." When the giant drives the children away, only winter lingers in his garden; through sharing with the children, spring returns at last. The original ending carries religious symbolism.
Plot summary of The Selfish Giant
When the giant returns, drives the children away, and builds a wall, winter never leaves his garden. As the children slip back in through a hole in the wall, flowers bloom; the giant helps one little child, his heart melts, and he tears the wall down. He then lives happily with the children and ends his life in peace.
The moral of The Selfish Giant
The heart of it is that spring comes only to a sharing heart. It shows that a garden is most beautiful when it's shared, and that children's laughter is the greatest gift of all. Talk with your child about "How did you feel when you shared something of yours?"
How to read it aloud
Read the giant heavy and deep at first, then warm once his heart changes. Prompt cause-and-effect thinking with "Why did winter come only to the giant's garden?", and read the ending softly, almost in a whisper, to deepen the lingering feeling. Best suited for ages 4-7.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What age is The Selfish Giant best for?
A. It's best for ages 4-7. The visual image of the changing seasons makes sharing and selfishness easy to understand.
Q. Why did winter linger only in the garden?
A. Because the giant drove the children away and built a wall. It's a symbol that spring never comes where sharing has disappeared.
Q. What activities pair well with it?
A. Decorating a flowerpot, writing cards about things you'd like to share, and drawing the four seasons all work nicely.
Classic tales to read together
If your child enjoyed this story, try these classic tales too.
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