CBSE Class 9 English Moments Notes Chapter 5: Chapter 5 – The Happy Prince (CBSE Class 9 English Moments) is a heartwarming story by Oscar Wilde that emphasizes compassion and selflessness. The narrative, rich in moral lessons, aligns well with the CBSE class 9 syllabus and frequently appears in the exam pattern through short and long answer questions.
It tells the tale of a prince-turned-statue and a swallow who help the poor by sacrificing their comforts. Students should focus on character traits, themes, and symbolism for effective preparation. This chapter is crucial for exams, especially for value-based questions, making it an important part of the English Moments syllabus.
The Happy Prince is a touching story written by Oscar Wilde. It talks about a statue of a prince, once happy during his life, now placed high above a city. The statue was decorated with gold and precious stones, making it look grand and beautiful. One day, a swallow bird, on its way to Egypt, stopped to rest beneath the statue.
There, the bird discovered that the Prince was actually sad, not happy. The Prince explained that while he was alive, he lived in a luxurious palace and never knew how much suffering existed in the world. But after his death, from his high position, he could see the sadness and pain of the poor people, and it broke his heart.
The swallow decided to help the Prince. First, the Prince asked the bird to take the ruby from his sword and give it to a poor woman who was struggling to care for her sick son.
Then, he asked the bird to take out a sapphire from one of his eyes and give it to a poor writer who couldn’t work due to the cold. Later, the Prince saw a young girl who had lost her matchsticks and was being scolded by her father. He asked the bird to give her his other eye, even though it would make him blind. The bird hesitated but finally agreed.
Though the Prince could no longer see, the bird stayed with him. The Prince told the bird to peel off the gold leaves from his body and give them to the poor. The bird did this until the statue looked dull and lifeless. Winter came, and the bird became weaker in the cold. Still, he refused to leave the Prince and eventually died. At that moment, the Prince’s heart cracked into two pieces.
When the city leaders saw the worn-out statue, they decided to take it down and melt it. However, the heart made of lead didn’t melt, so they threw it away along with the bird’s body. Later, God asked His Angel to bring Him the two most precious things in the city. The Angel brought the broken heart and the dead bird. God welcomed them both into His garden in Heaven, calling them truly special.
The Happy Prince is a deeply emotional story that highlights the values of kindness, compassion, and sacrifice. Through the selfless acts of the Prince and the little swallow, Oscar Wilde teaches us the importance of helping others, even at the cost of our own comfort.
The story beautifully fits into the CBSE Class 9 English Moments syllabus and is often asked in exams due to its moral depth and emotional appeal. Students should focus on the character sketch, themes, and symbolic elements of the story as it holds great relevance in the exam pattern and comprehension sections.
Below we have provided the CBSE Class 9 English Moments Chapter 5 The Happy Prince Notes PDF to help students with quick revision and exam preparation. These notes are designed as per the latest CBSE syllabus and exam pattern.
They cover important themes, character sketches, and key takeaways from the chapter in a simple and easy-to-understand format. Students can download the PDF and use it for efficient last-minute revision before exams or class tests.
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