The Happy Prince - Reading Comprehension

NCERT Board-Based Reading Comprehension Passages Grade 9 Supplementary Reader Moments 
Chapter 6 The Happy Prince

Reading Comprehension 1

1.HIGH above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of the Happy Prince. He was gilded all over with thin leaves of fine gold, for eyes he had two bright sapphires, and a large red ruby glowed on his sword hilt.

One night there flew over the city a little swallow. His friends had gone away to Egypt six weeks before, but he had stayed behind; then he decided to go to Egypt too.

All day long he flew, and at night time he arrived at the city. “Where shall I put up?” he said. “I hope the town has made preparations.”

1. What material was the statue of the Happy Prince covered in?

a) Fine silver

b) Bright sapphires

c) Thin leaves of fine gold

d) Red rubies

2. Where did the little swallow's friends go before he decided to go to Egypt?

a) They went to a different city.

b) They went on a long journey.

c) They went to visit their families.

d) They went to Egypt.

3. What did the little swallow hope for when he arrived in the city?

a) To find his friends

b) To locate a resting place

c) To find food and water

d) To see the Happy Prince statue

4. What did the Happy Prince have on his sword hilt?

a) Bright sapphires

b) A large red ruby

c) Fine gold leaves

d) Thin silver threads

5. Where was the Happy Prince's statue located?

a) Inside a temple

b) On a tall column

c) In a garden

d) At the city gates

Reading Comprehension 2

Then he saw the statue on the tall column.

 

“I will put up there,” he cried. “It is a fine position with plenty of fresh air.” So he alighted just between the feet of the Happy Prince.

“I have a golden bed-room,” he said softly to himself as he looked round, and he prepared to go to sleep; but just as he was putting his head under his wing a large drop of water fell on him. “What a curious thing!” he cried. “There is not a single cloud in the sky, the stars are quite clear and bright, and yet it is raining.”

Then another drop fell.

“What is the use of a statue if it cannot keep the rain off ?” he said. “I must look for a good chimney pot,” and he determined to fly away.

1. Where did the little swallow decide to put up for the night?

a) On a tall column

b) Inside a chimney pot

c) Between the feet of the Happy Prince statue

d) In a golden bedroom

2. What did the little swallow say to himself when he found his sleeping spot?

a) "What a curious thing!"

b) "There is not a single cloud in the sky."

c) "I have a golden bedroom."

d) "It is raining."

3. What surprised the little swallow as he was about to go to sleep?

a) The bright and clear stars

b) The rain falling from the clear sky

c) The absence of a cloud in the sky

d) The statue's inability to keep the rain off

4. What did the little swallow think about the Happy Prince statue's ability to keep the rain off?

a) He found it curious.

b) He admired its craftsmanship.

c) He thought it was useless.

d) He was grateful for its shelter.

5. What did the little swallow decide to do in response to the rain?

a) Find a chimney pot

b) Stay under the statue's feet

c) Look for a sheltered spot

d) Fly away from the statue

Reading Comprehension 3

But before he had opened his wings, a third drop fell, and he looked up, and saw — Ah! What did he see?

The eyes of the Happy Prince were filled with tears, and tears were running down his golden cheeks. His face was so beautiful in the moonlight that the little swallow was filled with pity.

“Who are you?” he said.

“I am the Happy Prince.”

“Why are you weeping then?” asked the swallow. “You have quite drenched me.”

“When I was alive and had a human heart,” answered the statue, “I did not know what tears were, for I lived in the Palace, where sorrow is not allowed to enter. My courtiers called me the Happy Prince, and happy indeed I was. So I lived, and so I died. And now that I am dead they have set me up here so high that I can see the ugliness and all the misery of my city, and though my heart is made of lead yet I cannot choose but weep.”

1. What did the little swallow see when he looked up after the third drop of water fell?

a) The moonlight shining on the statue

b) Tears in the eyes of the Happy Prince

c) The statue's golden cheeks

d) The ugliness and misery of the city

2. How did the little swallow feel upon seeing the tears of the Happy Prince?

a) Pity

b) Fear

c) Anger

d) Confusion

3. Who does the little swallow ask, "Who are you?" in the story?

a) The moon

b) Another bird

c) The statue of the Happy Prince

d) The city's courtiers

4. Why does the Happy Prince explain that he is weeping?

a) He is sad to see the little swallow drenched.

b) He is overwhelmed by the beauty of the moonlight.

c) He is grieving his own death and loss of happiness.

d) He is upset by the ugliness and misery in the city.

5. What does the Happy Prince say about his heart?

a) It is made of gold.

b) It is filled with happiness.

c) It is made of lead.

d) It is unable to weep.

Reading Comprehension 4

‘What! Is he not solid gold?’ said the swallow to himself. He was too polite to make any personal remarks.

“Far away,” continued the statue in a low musical voice, “far away in a little street there is a poor house. One of the windows is open, and through it I can see a woman seated at a table. Her face is thin and worn, and she has coarse, red hands, all pricked by the needle, for she is a seamstress. She is embroidering flowers on a satin gown for the loveliest of the Queen’s maids of honour, to wear at the next Court ball. In a bed in the corner of the room her little boy is lying ill. He has a fever, and is asking his mother to give him oranges. His mother has nothing to give him but river water, so he is crying. Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow, will you not bring her the ruby out of my sword hilt? My feet are fastened to this pedestal and I cannot move.”

 

“I am waited for in Egypt,” said the swallow. “My friends are flying up and down the Nile, and talking to the large lotus flowers. Soon they will go to sleep.”

1. What did the swallow think when he heard that the Happy Prince could see a poor woman in a little street?

a) He wondered if the Happy Prince could help the woman.

b) He thought the Happy Prince was exaggerating the situation.

c) He felt sorry for the Happy Prince for being unable to help.

d) He admired the Happy Prince's ability to observe from the pedestal.

2. What was the woman in the poor house doing?

a) Sewing clothes for the Queen's maids of honour.

b) Caring for her sick son.

c) Pricking her hands with a needle.

d) Embroidering flowers on a satin gown.

3. What was the little boy in the corner of the room asking for?

a) Apples

b) Oranges

c) River water

d) Medicines

4. Why couldn't the Happy Prince go and help the poor woman himself?

a) He was made of gold and couldn't move.

b) He was waiting for the swallow to bring him food.

c) He didn't care about the poor woman's situation.

d) He was afraid of leaving his pedestal.

5. What was the swallow's reason for not helping the Happy Prince?

a) He had friends waiting for him in Egypt.

b) He didn't believe the Happy Prince's story.

c) He was too tired to fly anymore.

d) He didn't want to be burdened with the ruby.

Reading Comprehension  5

5.The Prince asked the swallow to stay with him for one night and be his messenger. “The boy is so thirsty, and the mother so sad,” he said.

“I don’t think I like boys,” answered the swallow. “I want to go to Egypt.”

But the Happy Prince looked so sad that the little swallow was sorry. “It is very cold here,” he said. But he agreed to stay with him for one night and be his messenger.

“Thank you, little Swallow,” said the Prince. The swallow picked out the great ruby from the Prince’s sword, and flew away with it in his beak over the roofs of the town.

He passed by the cathedral tower, where the white marble angels were sculptured. He passed by the palace and heard the sound of dancing. A beautiful girl came out on the balcony with her lover.

 

“I hope my dress will be ready in time for the State ball,” she said. “I have ordered flowers to be embroidered on it, but the seamstresses are so lazy.”

1. Why did the Happy Prince ask the swallow to stay with him for one night?

a) To keep him company and listen to his stories.

b) To help him find a way to move from the pedestal.

c) To be his messenger and bring relief to the poor woman and her son.

d) To convince him to change his mind and go to Egypt.

2. Why did the swallow initially refuse to help the Happy Prince?

a) He didn't like boys and wanted to go to Egypt.

b) He was afraid of the Prince's sad expression.

c) He didn't believe in the Prince's mission.

d) He thought it was too cold to stay with the Prince.

3. What did the swallow pick from the Prince's sword to take to the poor woman?

a) A great ruby

b) A golden leaf

c) A diamond

d) A pearl

4. Where did the swallow pass by while flying over the town?

a) The cathedral tower

b) The palace

c) The market square

d) The schoolyard

5. What was the beautiful girl on the balcony concerned about?

a) The laziness of the seamstresses

b) The lack of flowers for the embroidery

c) The timing of the State ball

d) The availability of her lover

Reading Comprehension 6

He passed over the river, and saw the lanterns hanging on the masts of the ships. At last he came to the poor woman’s house and looked in. The boy was tossing feverishly on his bed, and the mother had fallen asleep, she was so tired. In he hopped, and laid the great ruby on the table beside the woman’s thimble. Then he flew gently round the bed, fanning the boy’s forehead with his wings. “How cool I feel!” said the boy, “I must be getting better;” and he sank into a delicious slumber.

Then the swallow flew back to the Happy Prince, and told him what he had done. “It is curious,” he remarked, “but I feel quite warm now, although it is so cold.”

“That is because you have done a good action,” said the Prince. And the little swallow began to think, and then fell asleep. Thinking always made him sleepy.

When day broke he flew down to the river and had a bath. “Tonight I go to Egypt,” said the swallow, and he was in high spirits at the prospect. He visited all the monuments and sat a long time on top of the church steeple.

1. What did the swallow do after leaving the Happy Prince?

a) He flew back to Egypt.

b) He visited the monuments in the town.

c) He had a bath in the river.

d) He sat on top of the church steeple.

2. What did the swallow do when he reached the poor woman's house?

a) He flew around the room and woke up the mother.

b) He placed the great ruby on the table next to the woman's thimble.

c) He sang a lullaby to the boy and put him to sleep.

d) He flew back to the Happy Prince to tell him the news.

3. How did the boy react after the swallow fanned his forehead?

a) He woke up and thanked the swallow.

b) He fell into a deeper sleep.

c) He felt a sudden warmth and fell asleep peacefully.

d) He asked the swallow to stay and be his friend.

4. Why did the swallow feel warm despite the cold weather?

a) Because he had flown over the river.

b) Because he had done a good action.

c) Because he was in high spirits.

d) Because he was thinking deeply.

5. What did the swallow plan to do next?

a) Fly to Egypt

b) Visit the Happy Prince again

c) Explore the town's monuments

d) Take another bath in the river

 

 Reading Comprehension 7

7.When the moon rose he flew back to the Happy Prince. “Have you any commissions for Egypt?” he cried. “I am just starting.”

“Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow,” said the Prince, “will you stay with me one night longer?”

“I am waited for in Egypt,” answered the swallow.

“Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow,” said the Prince, “far away across the city I see a young man in a garret. He is leaning over a desk covered with papers, and in the glass by his side there is a bunch of withered violets. His hair is brown and crisp, and his lips are red as a pomegranate, and he has large and dreamy eyes. He is trying to finish a play for the Director of the Theatre, but he is too cold to write any more. There is no fire in the grate, and hunger has made him faint.”

“I will wait with you one night longer,” said the swallow, who really had a good heart. He asked if he should take another ruby to the young playwright.

1. Why did the Happy Prince ask the swallow to stay with him one night longer?

a) He wanted the swallow to bring him more rubies.

b) He wanted the swallow's company and friendship.

c) He needed help with a new mission in Egypt.

d) He needed the swallow's assistance with another task.

2. Why did the swallow hesitate to stay with the Happy Prince?

a) He wanted to continue his journey to Egypt.

b) He was tired and needed to rest.

c) He didn't like the Prince's request.

d) He was afraid of the dark.

3. Who did the Happy Prince describe seeing in a garret across the city?

a) A young man working on a play for the Theatre Director.

b) A painter creating a masterpiece.

c) A musician composing a symphony.

d) A poet reciting his poems to an audience.

4. What was the condition of the young playwright's surroundings?

a) There was no fire in the grate, and he was hungry.

b) His room was filled with books and musical instruments.

c) He was surrounded by friends and admirers.

d) He had a comfortable desk and a warm fireplace.

5. What did the swallow offer to do for the young playwright?

a) Bring him a bunch of withered violets.

b) Write a play for him.

c) Take him to Egypt.

d) Bring him another ruby.

Reading Comprehension 8

“Alas! I have no ruby now,” said the Prince. “My eyes are all that I have left. They are made of rare sapphires, which were brought out of India a thousand years ago.” He ordered the swallow to pluck out one of them and take it to the playwright. “He will sell it to the jeweller, and buy firewood, and finish his play,” he said.

“Dear Prince,” said the swallow, “I cannot do that,” and he began to weep.

“Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow,” said the Prince, “do as I command you.”

So the swallow plucked out the Prince’s eye, and flew away to the young man’s garret. It was easy enough to get in, as there was a hole in the roof. Through this he darted, and came into the room. The young man had his head buried in his hands, so he did not hear the flutter of the bird’s wings, and when he looked up he found the beautiful sapphire lying on the withered violets.

1. Why did the Happy Prince want the swallow to pluck out one of his eyes?

a) He wanted to give the eye as a gift to the young man in the garret.

b) He wanted the swallow to bring him a sapphire from the playwright's room.

c) He needed the sapphire to buy firewood for the young man.

d) He wanted to prove his loyalty to the swallow.

2. How did the swallow feel when asked to pluck out the Prince's eye?

a) Happy and excited to fulfill the Prince's command.

b) Reluctant and tearful about the task.

c) Indifferent and unconcerned.

d) Angry and resentful towards the Prince.

3. How did the swallow enter the young man's garret?

a) Through the door.

b) Through an open window.

c) Through a hole in the roof.

d) Through the chimney.

4. What did the young man find when he looked up from burying his head in his hands?

a) The swallow flying out of the room.

b) The withered violets on the table.

c) The beautiful sapphire lying on the withered violets.

d) The Prince's missing eye on the floor.

5. Why did the swallow go to the young man's garret?

a) To retrieve the sapphire from the Prince's eye.

b) To deliver a message from the Happy Prince.

c) To ask for help with the Prince's request.

d) To find shelter for the night.

Reading Comprehension 9

.“I am beginning to be appreciated,” he cried. “This is from some great admirer. Now I can finish my play,” and he looked quite happy. The next day the swallow flew down to the harbour. He sat on the mast of a large vessel and watched the sailors working. “I am going to Egypt,” cried the swallow, but nobody minded, and when the moon rose he flew back to the Happy Prince.

“I have come to bid you goodbye,” he cried.

“Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow,” said the Prince, “will you not stay with me one night longer?”

“It is winter,” answered the swallow, “and the snow will soon be here. In Egypt the sun is warm on the green palm trees, and the crocodiles lie in the mud and look lazily about them.”

1. Why did the swallow want to leave and go to Egypt?

a) He wanted to explore new places and meet new birds.

b) He was tired of staying with the Happy Prince.

c) He preferred the warm weather in Egypt.

d) He wanted to join his friends who were already in Egypt.

2. What did the swallow do while sitting on the mast of a large vessel?

a) He observed the sailors working.

b) He sang a beautiful song.

c) He slept peacefully.

d) He watched the sunset.

3. Why did the swallow fly back to the Happy Prince when the moon rose?

a) He wanted to say goodbye to the Prince.

b) He realized he forgot something important.

c) He missed the Prince's company.

d) He had a change of heart about going to Egypt.

4. How did the Happy Prince react to the swallow's decision to leave?

a) He was disappointed and saddened.

b) He tried to persuade the swallow to stay.

c) He didn't mind the swallow's departure.

d) He felt betrayed by the swallow's choice.

5. Why did the swallow mention the winter and the snow?

a) To express his concern about the weather conditions.

b) To justify his decision to go to Egypt.

c) To seek the Prince's advice on what to do.

d) To remind the Prince of their time together.

Reading Comprehension 10

.“In the square below,” said the Happy Prince, “there stands a little matchgirl. She has let her matches fall in the gutter, and they are all spoiled. Her father will beat her if she does not bring home some money, and she is crying. She has no shoes or stockings, and her little head is bare. Pluck out my other eye, and give it to her, and her father will not beat her.”

“I will stay with you one night longer,” said the swallow, “but I cannot pluck out your eye. You would be quite blind then.”

“Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow,” said the Prince, “do as I command you.”

So he plucked out the Prince’s other eye, and darted down with it. He swooped past the matchgirl, and slipped the jewel into the palm of her hand.

“What a lovely bit of glass!” cried the little girl; and she ran home, laughing.

 

Then the swallow came back to the Prince. “You are blind now,” he said, “so I will stay with you always.”

“No, little Swallow,” said the poor Prince, “you must go away to Egypt.”

“No, I will stay with you always,” said the swallow, and he slept at the Prince’s feet.

1. Why did the Happy Prince ask the swallow to pluck out his other eye?

a) To give it to the little matchgirl's father as a gift.

b) To help the matchgirl find her lost matches.

c) To prevent the matchgirl from being beaten by her father.

d) To make himself completely blind.

2. Why did the swallow hesitate to pluck out the Happy Prince's eye?

a) He was afraid of hurting the Prince.

b) He didn't want the Prince to be blind.

c) He couldn't fly with the Prince's eye in his beak.

d) He was unsure if it would help the matchgirl.

3. How did the little matchgirl react when the swallow slipped the jewel into her hand?

a) She threw it away, thinking it was just a piece of glass.

b) She laughed and ran home happily.

c) She didn't notice the jewel in her hand.

d) She became scared and dropped it on the ground.

4. Why did the swallow decide to stay with the Happy Prince always?

a) Because the Prince was blind and needed his company.

b) Because he felt a deep connection with the Prince.

c) Because he wanted to protect the Prince from danger.

d) Because he couldn't find his way to Egypt.

5. Why did the Happy Prince insist that the swallow should go away to Egypt?

a) He wanted the swallow to find better weather.

b) He thought the swallow deserved to explore new places.

c) He wanted the swallow to leave before it was too late.

d) He believed the swallow would be happier in Egypt.

Reading Comprehension 11

11.All the next day he sat on the Prince’s shoulder, and told him stories of what he had seen in strange lands.

“Dear little Swallow,” said the Prince, “you tell me of marvellous things, but more marvellous than anything is the suffering of men and women. There is no Mystery so great as Misery. Fly over my city, little Swallow, and tell me what you see there.”

So the swallow flew over the great city, and saw the rich making merry in their beautiful houses, while the beggars were sitting at the gates. He flew into dark lanes, and saw the white faces of starving children looking out listlessly at the black streets. Under the archway of a bridge two little boys were lying in each other’s arms to try and keep themselves warm. “How hungry we are!" they said. “You must not lie here,” shouted the watchman, and they wandered out into the rain.

Then he flew back and told the Prince what he had seen.

“I am covered with fine gold,” said the Prince. “You must take it off, leaf by leaf, and give it to the poor; the living always think that gold can make them happy.”

1. What did the Happy Prince ask the swallow to do with his fine gold?

a) Keep it for himself.

b) Give it to the rich people in the city.

c) Distribute it to the beggars at the gates.

d) Take it off, leaf by leaf, and give it to the poor.

2. Why did the swallow fly over the city?

a) To search for his lost friends.

b) To find a place to build a nest.

c) To observe the suffering and misery of the people.

d) To see the rich people making merry in their houses.

3. What did the swallow see under the archway of a bridge?

a) Rich people enjoying themselves.

b) Starving children looking out at the black streets.

c) The watchman shouting at two little boys.

d) Beggars sitting at the gates of beautiful houses.

4. What did the Happy Prince want the swallow to do with the fine gold after taking it off?

a) Sell it and keep the money for himself.

b) Return it to the Prince.

c) Give it to the Prince's courtiers.

d) Give it to the poor people.

5. Why did the Happy Prince believe the gold could make the poor people happy?

a) He thought material wealth would solve their problems.

b) He believed the poor people desired gold more than anything else.

c) He wanted to prove that happiness could be bought with gold.

d) He thought the poor people should have the same luxuries as the rich.

Reading Comprehension 12

Leaf after leaf of the fine gold the swallow picked off, till the Happy Prince looked quite dull and grey. Leaf after leaf of the fine gold he brought to the poor, and the children’s faces grew rosier, and they laughed and played in the street. “We have bread now!” they cried.

 

Then the snow came, and after the snow came the frost. The streets looked as if they were made of silver. Everybody went about in furs, and the little boys wore scarlet caps and skated on the ice.

The poor little swallow grew colder and colder, but he would not leave the Prince, he loved him too well. He picked up crumbs outside the baker’s door when the baker was not looking, and tried to keep himself warm by flapping his wings.

But at last he knew that he was going to die. He had just enough strength to fly up to the Prince’s shoulder once more. “Goodbye, dear Prince!” he murmured. “Will you let me kiss your hand?

1. What did the swallow do with the fine gold from the Happy Prince?

   a) Picking it off leaf by leaf

   b) Plucking it from the Prince's sword

   c) Carrying it to the palace

   d) Selling it to the jeweler

2. How did the children react when they received bread from the poor?

   a) They cried in disappointment

   b) They laughed and played in the street

   c) They ignored the bread

   d) They demanded more food

3. How did the streets look after the snow and frost came?

   a) They turned into silver

   b) They became muddy

   c) They were covered in leaves

   d) They were empty

4. How did the poor little swallow try to keep warm?

   a) By finding shelter in a tree

   b) By flapping its wings

   c) By huddling with other birds

   d) By finding a warm nest

5. What did the swallow ask the Prince before saying goodbye?

   a) Can I have some food?

   b) Will you come with me to Egypt?

   c) Can I kiss your hand?

   d) Will you give me a golden feather?

Reading Comprehension 13

.“I am glad that you are going to Egypt at last, little Swallow,” said the Prince. “You have stayed too long here but you must kiss me on the lips, for I love you.”

“It is not to Egypt that I am going,” said the swallow. “I am going to the House of Death. Death is the brother of Sleep, is he not?”

And he kissed the Happy Prince on the lips, and fell down dead at his feet.

At that moment a curious crack sounded inside the statue, as if something had broken. The fact is that the leaden heart had snapped right in two. It certainly was a dreadfully hard frost.

Early the next morning the Mayor was walking in the square below in company with the Town Councillors. As they passed the column he looked up at the statue. “Dear me! How shabby the Happy Prince looks!” he said.

“How shabby, indeed!” cried the Town Councillors, who always agreed with the Mayor and they went up to look at it.

“The ruby has fallen out of his sword, his eyes are gone, and he is golden no longer,” said the Mayor. “In fact, he is little better than a beggar!”

“Little better than a beggar,” said the Town Councillors.

1. Where is the swallow going instead of Egypt?

   a) The House of Death

   b) The Palace of Sleep

   c) The Land of Dreams

   d) The Kingdom of Silence

2. What happened to the Happy Prince's leaden heart?

   a) It melted in the frost

   b) It broke in two

   c) It turned into gold

   d) It disappeared

3. Who noticed the changes in the Happy Prince?

   a) The Mayor

   b) The Town Councillors

   c) The Prince's loyal subjects

   d) The children in the square

Match the descriptions with the correct characters:

A. The one who kissed the Happy Prince on the lips and died.

B. The one who noticed the changes in the Happy Prince's appearance.

C. The one whose heart snapped in two.

D. The one who decided to go to the House of Death instead of Egypt.

       a) Mayor

       b) Town Councillors 

       c) Swallow

       d) Happy Prince

Reading Comprehension  14

“And here is actually a dead bird at his feet!” continued the Mayor. “We must really issue a proclamation that birds are not to be allowed to die here.” And the Town Clerk made a note of the suggestion.

So they pulled down the statue of the Happy Prince. “As he is no longer beautiful he is no longer useful,” said the Art Professor at the University.

Then they melted the statue in a furnace. “What a strange thing!” said the overseer of the workmen at the foundry. “This broken lead heart will not melt in the furnace. We must throw it away.” So they threw it on a dust heap where the dead swallow was also lying.

 

“Bring me the two most precious things in the city,” said God to one of His Angels; and the Angel brought Him the leaden heart and the dead bird. “You have rightly chosen,” said God, “for in my garden of Paradise this little bird shall sing for ever more and in my city of gold the Happy Prince shall praise me.”

1. What did the Mayor suggest in response to the dead bird at the Happy Prince's feet?

   a) They should issue a proclamation to ban birds from dying in the city.

   b) They should build a monument for the dead bird.

   c) They should hold a funeral for the dead bird.

   d) They should ignore the dead bird.

2. What did they do with the statue of the Happy Prince?

   a) They repaired it and put it back in the square.

   b) They moved it to a museum for preservation.

   c) They melted it in a furnace.

   d) They covered it with a new layer of gold.

3. Where did they throw the broken lead heart and the dead swallow?

   a) In the river

   b) In a garbage bin

   c) On a dust heap

   d) In a garden

4. What did God ask one of His Angels to bring Him?

   a) The broken lead heart and the dead bird

   b) The Happy Prince's golden statue and the dead swallow

   c) The most precious jewels in the city

   d) The Mayor's proclamation and the Town Clerk's note

5. Rearrange the sentences in the correct order of their occurrence in the story.

1. The swallow decided to stay with the Prince and eventually died at his feet.

2. The Happy Prince sacrificed his beauty and treasures to help the poor and needy.

3. God rewarded the sacrifice of the Happy Prince and the swallow by granting them eternal happiness in Paradise.

4. The Prince asked the swallow to stay with him for one night and be his messenger.

5. The swallow flew over the city and saw the suffering of the people.

a) 4, 5, 2, 3,1

b) 3, 2,1, 5, 4

c) 5, 2, 1, 4, 3

d) 4, 5, 2, 1, 3