MP Board Solutions for Class 9 English Moments Chapter 5 – The Happy Prince

Who was the Happy Prince and why was he called so?
Answer: The Happy Prince was a beautiful statue covered in gold and jewels. He was called happy because he lived in a palace without sorrow.

What did the Happy Prince see from his high pedestal?
Answer: From above, he saw poverty, hunger, and sadness all around the city, which made him feel deep sorrowdespite being a statue.

Why was the Happy Prince not truly happy?
Answer: He was filled with sadness and regret after seeing human suffering. His heart was moved, and he wanted to help the poor and needy.

Who was the Swallow and why did he stop by the statue?
Answer: The Swallow was a migrating bird who rested at the statue on his way to Egypt but stayed after seeing the Prince’s compassion.

How did the Happy Prince help the poor woman and her child?
Answer: He asked the Swallow to pluck the ruby from his sword and deliver it to a seamstress, helping her sick child get better care.

Why did the Swallow delay his journey to Egypt?
Answer: The Swallow stayed because he was touched by the Prince’s kindness and wanted to help carry out his noble wishes.

What did the Happy Prince give to the playwright?
Answer: The Prince gave one of his sapphire eyes to a young playwright who was too cold and hungry to write.

How did the Prince help the match-girl?
Answer: He asked the Swallow to give his second sapphire eye to a little match-girl, preventing her from being beaten at home.

What happened to the Prince’s eyes?
Answer: He gave away both sapphires from his eyes to help the needy. As a result, he became blind, yet remained kind.

How did the Swallow help after the Prince became blind?
Answer: The Swallow became the Prince’s eyes, flying around the city and reporting human suffering so they could continue to help others.

What did the Prince give after losing his jewels?
Answer: He told the Swallow to strip off his gold leaves and distribute them to the poor and hungry children in the city.

What led to the Swallow’s death?
Answer: The Swallow stayed through cold winter, despite the harsh weather. Eventually, the cold froze him, and he died at the Prince’s feet.

What happened to the statue after the Swallow died?
Answer: The statue’s lead heart broke, and city officials declared it ugly and useless. It was taken down and melted—but the heart didn’t melt.

How did the town officials react to the statue’s condition?
Answer: They criticized the statue for being shabby and not useful anymore. They didn’t understand the value of its kindness and sacrifice.

What did God say about the Happy Prince and the Swallow?
Answer: God said the Swallow and the Prince’s lead heart were the two most precious things in the city and took them to heaven.

What qualities made the Happy Prince noble?
Answer: His compassion, selflessness, and willingness to sacrifice his beauty for the happiness of others made him truly noble.

Why is the story titled ‘The Happy Prince’?
Answer: The title is ironic. The Prince was once happy in life but became truly fulfilled after helping others in death.

What theme does the story highlight?
Answer: The story emphasizes selfless love, compassion, and the idea that real beauty lies in acts of kindness, not appearance.

How is the Swallow a symbol of loyalty?
Answer: The Swallow gave up his migration and life to stay with the Prince and help him fulfill his noble mission.

Why is the lead heart important in the story?
Answer: It represents the Prince’s emotional depth and kindness, which remained strong even after his golden appearance was gone.

What lesson do we learn from the Prince’s transformation?
Answer: The story teaches that true greatness comes from sacrifice and service, not wealth or looks.

How does the writer use symbolism in the story?
Answer: The statue and the Swallow symbolize selflessness, while the gold, ruby, and sapphires represent material wealth used for good.

What kind of relationship develops between the Prince and the Swallow?
Answer: Their bond is built on mutual care, loyalty, and a shared desire to help the poor, forming a deep emotional connection.

What makes the ending of the story powerful?
Answer: The ending shows how true worth is often ignored by society but recognized by God, giving a spiritual and moral message.

Summarize the moral of the story.
Answer: The story teaches that real happiness lies in giving, and the greatest riches come from compassion and sacrifice, not material possessions.