Class 9 Moments Supplementary Reader Chapter 5 Question Answers - The Happy Prince

Q1. What does the swallow see when it flies over the city?

As the swallow flew over the city, it witnessed a stark contrast between the lives of the rich and the poor. The swallow noticed that while the rich enjoyed their lives in luxurious homes, the poor suffered outside their gates, often ignored or mistreated. In the affluent areas, people indulged in festivities and material comforts, seemingly detached from the struggles of the less fortunate.

On the other hand, in the darker and more impoverished parts of the city, the swallow observed the misery of the poor. It saw starving children with pale faces peering hopelessly from alleyways. These children, deprived of even basic necessities like food and warmth, represented the widespread neglect and despair in the city. The swallow also saw two young boys huddled together under an archway, trying to keep warm in the cold. Despite their evident suffering, they were dismissed by a heartless watchman who ordered them to move along, further underscoring the lack of compassion for the needy.

This harsh reality of suffering and neglect had a profound impact on the swallow. Witnessing such widespread misery made it realize the deep inequality that existed in the city, a misery that had also moved the Happy Prince to tears. The swallow’s observation revealed to it the stark truth about the divide between the rich and the poor, and how the city had failed its most vulnerable citizens.

Swallow saw two young boys huddled together under an archway

Q2. Why do the courtiers call the prince ‘The Happy Prince’? Is he really happy? What does he see all around him?

During his lifetime, the courtiers referred to the prince as the ‘Happy Prince’ because he led a sheltered and carefree life. His existence was filled with luxury and joy, as no sorrow was ever allowed to touch him. His palace was a place of constant celebration, and the prince remained blissfully ignorant of the suffering and hardship faced by the people outside the palace walls. The courtiers, who witnessed only his life of ease, assumed he was truly happy and bestowed upon him the title ‘Happy Prince.’

However, despite the label, the prince was far from happy in the truest sense. His happiness was superficial, born out of ignorance rather than a deep sense of fulfillment. It was only after his death, when his statue was placed atop a high column overlooking the city, that the prince came to understand the harsh realities of life. From his elevated position, the prince could now see the entire city and the suffering of its inhabitants.

The sight of misery, poverty, and despair filled the prince’s heart with sorrow. He saw the hungry children, the poor seamstress struggling to make ends meet, the playwright without resources, and the many others who suffered silently. It was at this point that the Happy Prince realized he had never truly experienced happiness, as his joy had been isolated from the reality of life. Seeing the suffering around him, his leaden heart wept for the first time, and he resolved to help those in need. Thus, the Happy Prince’s true happiness came not from living a life of luxury but from the selfless act of giving and easing the suffering of others.

Q3. When and how did the Happy Prince realise the true meaning of life? What did this realisation prompt him to do?

The Happy Prince had spent his life in comfort, isolated from the suffering of the world. He lived in a palace where sorrow was forbidden, and as a result, he was called the ‘Happy Prince’ by his courtiers and subjects. His life, though joyful on the surface, lacked depth, and he remained unaware of the true nature of human existence—its sorrows and struggles.

It was only after his death, when his statue was erected atop a tall column, that the Happy Prince experienced a transformation. From his new vantage point, he could see the city in its entirety, and with that, he came face-to-face with the harsh realities that had been hidden from him in life. He saw the suffering of the poor, the hunger of children, and the coldness with which society treated the less fortunate. This revelation led him to understand the true meaning of life—not in luxury or personal pleasure, but in compassion, selflessness, and the alleviation of others' suffering.

Moved by the plight of his people, the Happy Prince decided to take action, even though he was no longer alive in the traditional sense. He began by giving away the precious jewels and gold that adorned his statue, instructing the swallow to deliver them to those in need. His selfless acts of charity were driven by his newfound understanding that true happiness lies in bringing relief to others. This realisation fundamentally changed the Happy Prince's purpose, transforming him into a symbol of compassion and kindness, even at the cost of his own adornments and beauty.

Q4. How did the swallow exhibit the values of unconditional love and devotion?

The swallow's actions throughout the story are a testament to the values of unconditional love and devotion. Initially, the swallow had no intention of staying in the city, as it was on its way to Egypt to join its fellow swallows for the winter. It only stopped by the city to rest for a night, perching itself between the feet of the Happy Prince’s statue.

However, when the swallow encountered the Happy Prince, it was deeply moved by the prince’s sorrow over the suffering of his people. The prince, who was unable to move, asked the swallow to help him deliver the jewels and gold from his statue to the poor and needy. Despite its initial reluctance to stay, the swallow’s compassion for the prince grew, and it decided to stay another day to help him fulfill his wishes.

Over time, the swallow's bond with the Happy Prince deepened. The swallow became the prince’s eyes and wings, carrying out his charitable missions with a sense of duty and devotion. Even as the weather grew colder and the swallow’s health began to deteriorate, it stayed by the prince’s side, delivering the jewels from the prince’s statue to the poor seamstress, the playwright, and the matchgirl. The swallow exhibited selflessness and loyalty, continuing to help the prince despite knowing that staying in the city during the cold winter could cost it its life.

Eventually, the swallow succumbed to the cold, but it remained with the prince until its last breath. This unwavering loyalty and dedication demonstrated the swallow's unconditional love for the Happy Prince. The bird’s decision to stay, despite knowing the personal cost, reflects a deep bond built on trust, compassion, and a shared commitment to easing the suffering of others.

Q5. How did the Happy Prince discover true happiness? How did he spread it?

The Happy Prince had led a life devoid of sorrow while he was alive, earning him the title of ‘Happy Prince.’ His existence was one of privilege, where he was shielded from the harsh realities of life. However, after his death, when his statue was erected on a high column overlooking the city, the prince finally witnessed the widespread suffering that he had been blind to during his life.

As he observed the hunger, poverty, and despair in the city, the prince realized that his previous happiness had been shallow and incomplete. His heart, though made of lead, began to ache with compassion for the people in need. This marked the beginning of the prince’s journey toward discovering true happiness, which he found not in luxury or comfort, but in selflessly helping others.

Determined to alleviate the suffering he witnessed, the Happy Prince enlisted the help of a swallow to carry out acts of charity. He directed the swallow to take the ruby from his sword and give it to a poor seamstress who was struggling to care for her ill son. Next, the prince gave away the sapphires from his eyes—one to a playwright who was freezing in his room while trying to complete his work, and the other to a matchgirl who feared being beaten by her father after her matches fell into a gutter. Finally, the prince instructed the swallow to strip the gold leaves from his body and distribute them to the poor throughout the city.

Through these acts of generosity, the Happy Prince spread true happiness by sacrificing everything he had to ease the suffering of others. His own appearance became dull and disfigured as a result, but the joy and relief he brought to the people in need filled his heart with a deeper sense of fulfillment than he had ever known in life. The prince’s selflessness demonstrated that true happiness comes from the act of giving, especially when it brings comfort to those who suffer.

Q6. Imagine you are the playwright who received the mystery gift of a sapphire. While passing by the statue you get to unravel the mystery when you overhear the general public and councillors discussing the dull statue of the Happy Prince. Write a diary entry expressing your gratitude to the Happy Prince and expressing your dismay at the council’s decision of pulling down the statue.

Dear Diary,
For days I have been trying to unravel the mystery of a precious sapphire I found at my desk a few days ago. I wondered who this admirer and saviour were. I wanted to personally thank him for his generous and timely help in saving my life and my career as a playwright.
The mystery got solved today when I was passing by the statue of the Happy Prince. A crowd of people, among them the Mayor and Town Councillors, were discussing how shabby and dull the statue looked without its ruby, sapphires and gold leaves. That is when I realized that the sapphire I had got was actually one of the eyes of the statue of the Happy Prince. That also explained how the poor and needy people in the city were mysteriously getting jewels and gold so that they could end their poverty and miseries. The Happy Prince with the help of the swallow – his noble companion – had brought so much happiness to the poor and downtrodden by sacrificing all he had.
It utterly dismayed me to hear of the council’s decision to pull down the statue because it looked nothing better than a dull, shabby beggar! How callous and ignorant the Mayor and the Councillors are!
However, I shall remain eternally grateful to the Happy Prince and the swallow, his faithful companion, and as a token of my gratitude to them, I am going to write and stage a play to highlight their exemplary sacrifices in bringing joy and happiness to the poor and needy people of the city.
May the soul of the Happy Prince and the swallow rest in eternal peace in the abode of God.

Q7. Why did the Happy Prince request the swallow to stay for another day? 

The Happy Prince was on a tall column. From there he could see the miseries of people. He wanted to help the poor. But he could not move. The Prince wanted to help a poor seamstress. He sent a ruby to her through the swallow, then the Prince saw a playwright. He was leaning on his desk. He was very handsome. His hair was brown and crisp. He was trying to finish a play.  But he was feeling very cold. He had no firewood to keep himself warm. The Prince wanted to help him. He wanted to send one of the sapphires of his eyes to the young man. So he requested the swallow to stay for another day.

Q8. What happened to the statue of the Prince and the swallow in the end? 

The swallow and the Happy Prince became friends. The swallow loved the Prince for his kindness. He decided not to go away.  The Prince sent his ruby and the sapphires of his eyes to the poor people. He sent the gold of his body to the poor children. 

Now he was blind and ugly. Then winter came. The little swallow felt very cold. But he did not leave the Prince. One day, the swallow died. The leaden heart of the Prince broke in two.  

The next day, the statue was pulled down. It was melted in a furnace. But the leaden heart did not melt. It was thrown into a heap. The dead body of the swallow was also lying there. God sent his angel to bring the two most precious things from the city. The angel brought him the leaden heart of the Prince and the dead body of the swallow.

Q9. Draw a brief character sketch of the Happy Prince 

• The Happy Prince was a statue. He stood on a tall pillar. He had two sapphires for his eyes. His body was covered with leaves of gold. There was a ruby in his sword hilt. 

• When he was alive he was very happy. He did not know any sorrow or misery. People called him the Happy Prince. 
• After his death, he was set on a high pillar. Now he could see poverty and misery all around him. His heart was filled with pity. He tried to help poor people. 
• He sent the ruby to the poor seamstress. He sent the sapphires of his eyes to the playwright and the match girl. He sent the gold of his body to the poor and hungry children. He loved the swallow. When the swallow died his heart broke. Thus the Happy Prince was a kind and loving man.

Q10. Give a brief character sketch of the swallow.

• The little swallow plays an important role in this story. He was going to Egypt. His friends were waiting for him. But the Prince requested him to stay for one day more. He agreed.
• At the request of the Prince, he took the ruby to the seamstress. He took the sapphires of the Prince’s eyes to the young man and the poor girl. Now the Prince was blind. So he decided to stay with the Prince. The swallow had a kind heart. He fanned the son of the poor woman and gave him comfort. 
• Then winter came. The swallow lived in the snow. He had only crumbs to eat. But he did not leave the Prince. One day the swallow died. But even death could not separate hint from the prince. The angel of God took the swallow and the Prince’s heart to paradise.

Q11. The little swallow was as noble as the Happy Prince. Describe how the swallow played an important role in helping the Happy Prince to carry out his noble deeds? 

• Undoubtedly, the swallow was a kind bird. He wanted to go to Egypt with his friends. At first, when he rested between the feet of the Happy Prince, he had no feeling of helping others. 
• His quality becomes obvious when we noticed tears in his eyes on seeing the Happy Prince’s heart aching. He discharged his duty with full loyalty and obedience. 
• When he started living with the Prince, he became more sympathetic towards others. He had a deep sense of service. He helped the seamstress by bringing her a ruby and fanned the sick boy with his wings. He helped the playwright and the match girl too. 
• He rejected his idea to go to Egypt when the Happy Prince became blind. In the end, he died and fell down at his feet.

Q12. The two most precious things in the city were the Happy Prince and the swallow. Do you agree? Explain. 

• The two most precious things in the city were the leaden heart of the Happy Prince and the dead swallow. The Happy Prince had sacrificed his precious and beautiful things to serve humanity and helped the poor. 
• The swallow fulfilled the wishes of the happy prince. He sacrificed his self-interest in going to Egypt. He carried gold and jewels to the suffering people. He remained with the prince in the bad weather also. He died at the prince’s feet. So, the angel was right when it took the leaden heart of the prince and the dead swallow to Heaven.

Q13. How did the Swallow show obedience as the greatest virtue of living things? 

• The Swallow was a bird but he was very obedient. Whenever the Happy Prince requested the swallow to help the people who were in miserable condition, he obeyed the prince’s order. 
• Gradually, he became affectionate with the prince and decided to stay with him. The Swallow became weak during the course of helping others. As long as he was alive, he was obedient to the Happy Prince. In fact, obedience was his greatest quality.