NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English (Moments) Chapter 5 The Happy Prince

NCERT
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 9TH

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Book - Moments Ncert Solutions | Chapter-5 English-2

Class : 9th
Subject : English-2
Chapter : 5
Chapter Name : The Happy Prince

Q1 Why do the courtiers call the prince ‘the Happy Prince’? Is he really happy? What does he
see all around him?

Answer. The courtiers called the prince ‘the Happy Prince’ because he was always happy.
When he was alive, he did not know what tears were for he lived in a palace where sorrow was
not allowed to enter. However, when he died and was made into a statue, he was not happy
and tears owed down his eyes on seeing the state of his city. He could see all the misery and
ugliness of the city around him.

Q2 Why does the Happy Prince send a ruby for the seamstress? What does the swallow do in
the seamstress’ house?

Answer. The Happy Prince sent a ruby for the seamstress as she was extremely poor and could
not feed her child who was suffering from fever.
The swallow picked out the ruby from the Happy Prince’s sword and ew to the seamstress’
house. On reaching the house he saw that the seamstress had fallen asleep because she was
tired and the little boy was tossing feverishly on the bed. The swallow laid the ruby on the
table and ew gently round the bed, fanning the boy’s forehead with his wings. The boy
immediately felt cool, thought the fever must be improving and fell off to sleep.

Q3 For whom does the prince send the sapphires and why?

Answer. The Happy Prince sent the sapphires for two people: the young writer across the city
and the matchgirl.

The young writer was trying to nish a play for the Director of the Theatre. However, he was
too cold to write anymore, there was no re in the grate and hunger had made him faint. He
sent the sapphire to the young playwright so that he could sell it to the jeweller, buy rewood,
and nish his play. On seeing the sapphire, the young man felt appreciated and believed that
he could nish his play.

The Happy Prince then saw a little matchgirl who was standing in the square just below him.

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Book - Moments Ncert Solutions | Chapter-5 English-2

She had let her matches fall in the gutter because of which they were all spoiled. The prince
knew that her father would beat her if she did not bring home some money. When the swallow
slipped the jewel into the palm of the little girl’s hand, she ran home happy and laughing.

Q4 What does the swallow see when it ies over the city?

Answer. When the swallow was ying over the city, it saw the rich making merry and the
beggars sitting at the gates of the rich men’s houses. It ew into the dark lanes and saw the
white faces of starving children. Under the archway of a bridge, it saw two little boys lying in
each other’s arms trying to keep themselves warm in the rain. They were extremely hungry
and on top of it, they were asked by the watchman to vacate the archway. The swallow went
back and told the Prince about all it had seen.

Q5 Why did the swallow not leave the prince and go to Egypt?

Answer. When the Happy Prince had given both his sapphire eyes to the needy, the swallow
decided to stay with him as he was blind. It did not leave for Egypt even though the Prince
urged him to. When the snow came, followed by frost, the little swallow grew colder and
colder. However, it did not leave the Prince as it loved him very much. It fed itself on the
crumbs outside the bakery and kept itself warm by apping its wings. However, at last, it knew
it was going to die. It ew to the Prince, said goodbye, and asked if it could kiss his hand. It
kissed the Prince’s lips and fell down dead at its feet.

Q6 What are the precious things mentioned in the story? Why are they precious?

Answer. There are two precious things in the story: the Prince’s leaden heart and the dead
swallow.
They were both precious because they were kind and sel ess. The Prince was sad as he saw so
many people suffering in his city. He gave away his ruby, sapphires and all his gold to them.
He did not think about himself for once. He was more concerned about the well-being of his
people even though he was dead.
The little swallow was precious because it showed kindness by carrying the Prince’s messages
to the poor and deciding to stay back for the Prince when he was blind, though he knew that
he would face dif culties in winter, which was fast approaching. It actively participated in
helping the poor and needy in the city. The swallow was so precious that when it died and fell
down at the Prince’s feet, the Prince’s leaden heart broke into two.
When God asked one of his angels to bring him the two most precious things in the city, the
angel brought him the leaden heart and the dead bird. God said that the little bird would
forever sing in His garden of Paradise and the Happy Prince would praise Him in His city of

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Book - Moments Ncert Solutions | Chapter-5 English-2

gold.

Q1 The little swallow says, “It is curious, but I feel quite warm now, although it is so cold.”
Have you ever had such a feeling? Share your experience with your friends.

Answer. Man is a social animal. He is social because he is dependent on others to lead a
satisfactory life In this regard mutual help is required. Whenever we help others, there is a
feeling of satisfaction. Whenever we are helped by others, we feel grateful. It is because
helping others is the essence of life. In this chapter the little swallow feels warmth when he
helps the needy people He does his act of sel ess service with utmost dedication and sacri ce.
Owing to this sel ess service he becomes satis ed. Yes, I have experienced such a feeling
many a time. I believe in helping others. Others too help me whenever I am in need. I help
others considering it my duty. I remember the day when I started helping others. Since the day
feel more con dent and have become a successful citizen. feel the presence of God around me.

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