Children’s Stories · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Children’s Stories by Oscar Wilde.
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.
Chapter 6
The Young King
On the day of his coronation, the young King has three dreams revealing the suffering and exploitation behind the royal robe, crown, and sceptre. He refuses to wear them, instead donning a goatherd's tunic and a circlet of wild briar. Despite mockery and opposition from nobles and the Bishop, he proceeds to the cathedral, where he is miraculously blessed by God with sunlight weaving a robe and the dead staff blossoming, affirming his divine kingship.
Chapter 7
The Birthday of the Infanta
On her twelfth birthday, the Infanta of Spain enjoys a day of celebration in the palace gardens, playing with children of all ranks. The sad King watches from a window, mourning his deceased wife. A little Dwarf, discovered in the forest, performs for the Infanta and becomes infatuated with her, receiving a white rose from her. After the performance, the Dwarf wanders into the garden, where the Flowers mock his ugliness, but the Birds and Lizards befriend him. Unaware of his grotesque appearance, he believes the Infanta loves him.
Chapter 8
The Fisherman and His Soul
The young Fisherman, having sent away his Soul to be with the Mermaid, resists the Soul's temptations of Wisdom and worldly pleasures, remaining steadfast in his love. The Soul recounts its journeys to exotic cities and attempts to lure him with tales of wisdom, but the Fisherman repeatedly chooses love. After returning to the sea, he calls for the Mermaid in vain, yet his love remains unshaken, and the Soul contemplates tempting him with good instead of evil.