Page 70 - Universal
P. 70
his beauty but saw him merely as an ornament,
unaware of the heartwarming story hidden within.
One chilly winter night, a compassionate Swallow
passing through the city decided to take refuge
with the Happy Prince. While his friends had
already flown away to Egypt, the Swallow had
stayed behind, captivated by the most beautiful
Reed he had ever seen. He was in love.
The Swallow’s heart, however, could not bear the
loneliness of the Prince. Curiosity got the better
of him, and he asked why the Prince was crying.
“When I was alive and had a human heart,” the statue replied,
“I lived in the Palace of Sans-Souci, where sorrow is not allowed
What y to enter. But now, from my high vantage point, I see all the
What you Think?ou Think?
Describe the kind of ugliness and misery of my city, and though my heart is made
life the Happy Prince of lead, I cannot choose but weep.”
lived when he was
alive. The Swallow was deeply moved by the Prince’s compassion.
“How can I help?” he asked.
The Prince told the Swallow about a poor woman in a small house with her sick child. He
requested the Swallow to pluck a
jewel from his sword-hilt to give
to her. The Swallow hesitated but
finally agreed to help.
With the precious jewel, the
grateful woman purchased
medicine and food for her son,
and he slowly began to recover.
Next, the Prince saw a struggling
young playwright in a cold garret,
trying to finish a play for the
Theatre Director. He asked the
Swallow to take his other eye,
a sapphire, to the playwright to
sell for money and warmth. The
Swallow was hesitant but ultimately complied.
The playwright was overjoyed with the unexpected gift, believing it to be from an
68

