The Selfish Giant Summary Class 6 English Skylark Chapter 3

Key Points of the Story

• Children used to play in the Giant's garden.
• The Giant returns after seven years and chases the children away.
• The Giant walls off his garden, causing perpetual winter there.
• The children sneak back in through a hole in the wall.
• The Giant's change of heart brings back spring and joy to the garden.
• The story ends with the Giant's transformation and a mysterious child leading him to paradise.

Detailed Summary

Once upon a time, there was a Giant who had a beautiful garden. Every afternoon, after school, children would play there, surrounded by lovely flowers and peach trees. The Giant was selfish and chased the children away, building a high wall around his garden. This made the garden stay in perpetual winter, while the rest of the land enjoyed spring. The Giant realized his mistake when he saw a small boy crying in the corner of the garden. The boy couldn't reach the tree's branches to join the other children. Touched by the boy's plight, the Giant's heart softened. He helped the boy onto the tree, which immediately bloomed with flowers. The children returned, accompanied by spring, as the Giant's heart transformed. He destroyed the wall, making the garden a playground for all. However, the boy who the Giant loved the most disappeared, leaving the Giant longing to see him again. Years passed, and the Giant grew old, appreciating the beauty of the children more than his garden. One winter day, he saw the tree in full bloom with the boy he loved standing beneath it. The boy had wounds on his hands and feet, wounds of love. The child revealed himself as Love, inviting the Giant to his garden in Paradise. When the children returned that afternoon, they found the Giant passed away under the tree, covered in white blossoms, symbolizing his redemption through love. In this story by Oscar Wilde, the Giant learns the importance of kindness and love, ultimately finding peace and redemption through selfless acts and compassion towards others.

Theme/ Message

Theme: The main theme of the story is about the transformative power of love and selflessness. It highlights how kindness and generosity can lead to personal growth and happiness.

Message: The story conveys the message that selfishness isolates individuals, while kindness and compassion lead to joy and fulfillment. It emphasizes the importance of empathy, sharing, and caring for others.

Difficult Words

• Selfishness - Caring only for oneself and not for others.
• Trespassers - People who enter a place without permission.
• Prosecuted - To officially charge someone with a crime.
• Perpetual - Never-ending or lasting for a long time.
• Transformative - Causing a marked change in someone or something.
• Isolates - To be or remain alone or apart from others.
• Companion - A person who spends time with or accompanies another.
• Fulfillment - The achievement of something desired or promised.
• Empathy - The ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
• Paradise - A place or state of great happiness and beauty.

Conclusion

"The Selfish Giant" is a heartwarming tale about the power of kindness and the value of selflessness. The giant's transformation from a selfish and cold-hearted individual to a warm and loving one is a powerful reminder that we should all strive to be kind and considerate to those around us. The story also shows the impact that our actions can have on others, and how a small act of kindness can have a significant ripple effect. Ultimately, the story teaches us that happiness comes from sharing what we have with others and that selflessness is a virtue worth cultivating.