# the Swallow — Children’s Stories character guide

> the Swallow in Children’s Stories by Oscar Wilde.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** little Swallow, the little Swallow, Swallow, Dear little Swallow

**First appearance:** 0000-the-happy-prince

## Snapshot

A swallow bound for Egypt who keeps delaying his migration to serve the Happy Prince, discovering that a good action leaves him warm even in the cold.

## Who they are

The Swallow plans to join his companions at the Second Cataract, where the river-horse and the yellow lions wait, but the Happy Prince's pleas keep him in the city one night longer. He has a good heart and weeps when asked to pluck out the Prince's sapphire eye, yet he obeys. His growing attachment to the Prince, and his willingness to postpone his own journey, drive the story's widening circle of mercy.

## In the story

### [The Happy Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/children_s_stories_se/chapters/the-happy-prince)

A swallow who delays his journey to Egypt, initially in love with a Reed, then becomes the Happy Prince's messenger.

### [The Nightingale and the Rose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/children_s_stories_se/chapters/the-nightingale-and-the-rose)

Not present in this chapter.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/children_s_stories_se/characters/swallow
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/children_s_stories_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/children_s_stories_se/characters