Children’s Stories · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Children’s Stories by Oscar Wilde.
Each chapter has a companion in the reader — open a free preview to see notes beside the text.
Chapter 1
The Happy Prince
A swallow delays his migration to Egypt and takes shelter at the feet of a gilded statue of the Happy Prince. The Prince, though once happy in life, now weeps seeing the misery of his city. He persuades the swallow to stay and act as his messenger, giving away his ruby, sapphires, and gold leaf to help a seamstress, a playwright, a match-girl, and the poor. As winter sets in, the swallow dies of cold, and the Prince's lead heart breaks.
Chapter 2
The Nightingale and the Rose
A young Student laments that he cannot find a red rose to give to his beloved, the Professor's daughter, so she will dance with him. A Nightingale, believing him to be a true lover, sacrifices her life by pressing her breast against a thorn all night, singing as her blood creates a crimson rose. The Student presents the rose to the girl, but she rejects it for jewels from the Chamberlain's nephew. The Student discards the rose, which is crushed by a cartwheel, and dismisses love as a foolish thing.
Chapter 3
The Selfish Giant
A selfish giant builds a wall around his beautiful garden to keep children out, causing perpetual winter. When he finally lets the children back in, spring returns. He befriends a special little boy who later reveals himself as Christ and invites the giant to Paradise, where the giant dies peacefully.
Chapter 4
The Devoted Friend
The Linnet tells the Water-rat a story about little Hans and the Miller, who exploits Hans under the guise of friendship. Hans suffers through winter, gives away his flowers, carries flour to market, and performs errands for the Miller, eventually drowning in a storm while fetching the doctor for the Miller's son. The Miller mourns at the funeral but complains about the wheelbarrow he had promised Hans. The Water-rat, annoyed by the moral, retreats into his hole.
Chapter 5
The Remarkable Rocket
A royal wedding is celebrated with fireworks, but the Remarkable Rocket's pompous self-importance and emotional outbursts alienate the other fireworks, leading to his eventual neglect and failure to perform.
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