The Happy Prince Class 9 Question Answer
Textbook Questions:
Think about it
Question 1.
Why do the courtiers call the Prince The Happy Prince’? Is he really happy? What does he see all around him?
दरबारी राजकुमार को ‘हैप्पी प्रिंस’ क्यों कहते हैं? क्या वह सचमुच खुश है? वह अपने चारों ओर क्या देखता है?
Answer:
The Prince remained in the palace and never came in contact with grief and misery as long as he lived so all his courtiers called him – “The Happy Prince’. But when he died people put his statue on a high (pedestal) pillar. From there he could see the whole of his town. He was grieved to see the misery and grief of the poor people around him. Their suffering made him unhappy. He became happy when he helped them by giving all the riches, the ruby, sapphires and golden leaves with which his body was covered. They got rid of their poverty, became healthy and happy. This gave him real contentment and happiness.
Question 2.
Why does the Prince send a ruby for the seamstress? What does the swallow do in the seamstress’ house?
राजकुमार ने दर्जिन को रूबी क्यों भेजी ? अबाबील ने दर्जिन के घर क्या किया?
Or
Why does the Happy Prince send a ruby for the seamstress? Who does help him in this noble cause?
हैप्पी प्रिंस ने दर्जिन को सबी क्यों भेजा? इस पुण्य कार्य में उसकी किसने मदद की?
Answer:
The Prince saw the miserable condition of the seamstress through the open window of her house from his high position. She was embroidering a gown in the candle light. Her hands were red due to the needle-pricks. Her sick son was crying and demanding oranges but she could not afford even his medicine what to talk of oranges. She was tired mentally and physically. The Prince felt sad and started crying.
Just then a swallow stopped on his way to Egypt to rest and sleep under the shelter of the statue of the Prince. The Prince requested the swallow to be his messenger, pluck a ruby from his sword hilt and put it on the table of the seamstress.
The swallow obeyed though unwillingly. He placed the ruby near the thimble of the seamstress, who had fallen asleep due to tiredness. Then the swallow went round the bed of the sick boy. He fanned him with his wings. The boy felt cool and comfortable and went to sleep. The swallow when returned felt happy and warm though it was cold outside. He had done a good deed.
Question 3.
For whom does the Prince send the sapphires and why?
राजकुमार नीलम किनके लिए भेजता है और क्यों?
Answer:
The Prince had two sapphires studded in his eyes. He sent them to help two needy persons. The first sapphire he sent through the swallow to a playwright who could not complete his play due to hunger and cold. It enabled him to buy food and fire wood and complete writing his play:
The second sapphire he sent to a match girl who had let her matchboxes fall into a gutter. They were spoilt and could not be sold. She cried for his father would beat her if she went home without any money. When she got the sapphire, she stopped crying and ran home happily. The Prince thus wiped her tears and saved her from being beaten.
Question 4.
What does the swallow see when it flies over the city?
जब अबाबील नगर के ऊपर उड़ता है तो क्या देखता है?
Answer:
He saw the rich making merry and poor beggars sitting at the gates. He flew to the dark lanes and saw the white faces of the starving children looking restlessly at the dark streets. Under the archway of the bridge two little boys were lying in each other’s arm trying to keep themselves warm. They were hungry. Just then a watchman told them to get away from there and they wandered in the rain – cold and hungry.
Question 5.
Why did the swallow not leave the Prince and go Egypt?
अबाबील राजकुमार को छोड़कर मिस्त्र क्यों नहीं गया?
Answer:
The Happy Prince had given both his eyes which were made of sapphire to help two needy persons. He had become blind and helpless. He was no more able to see the misery and suffering of his people and help them out. The kind, sympathetic and loving swallow realised the helplessness of the Prince. He decided not to go to Egypt and stay with the Prince and help him in his cause of removing the misery of his people.
Question 6.
What are the precious things mentioned in the story? What are they precious?
कहानी में किन कीमती चीजों का जिक्र है? वह कीमती क्यों हैं?
Answer:
The precious things mentioned in the story are – the leaden heart of the Prince and the dead bird. They are precious because they symbolize heavenly virtues like goodness, sympathy, love, selfless, service and sacrifice to make others happy.
IV. Very Important Examination Questions:
I. Extract-based Objective Type Questions
Read the extracts given below carefully and answer the questions with the help of the given options :
Question 1.
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.
(i) What did the swallow notice when he flew over the great city?
(а) Beggars were sitting at the gates
(b) Children were playing
(c) Rich making merry in their beautiful homes.
(d) Both (a) and (c)
Answer:
(d) Both (a) and (c)
(ii) What were the children doing in the great city?
(a) Playing
(b) Begging
(c) Looking out listlessly at the black streets
(d) Studying
Answer:
(c) Looking out listlessly at the black streets
(iii) What were the two boys doing?
(a) Lying in each other’s arm to keep themselves warm.
(b) Begging
(c) Playing
(d) Looking at the streets.
Answer:
(a) Lying in each other’s arm to keep themselves warm.
(iv) What is the message in the passage?
(a) Rich ought to share their wealth with the poor.
(b) Poverty is a boon.
(c) We should not make merry.
(d) Swallows should fly and help people around.
Answer:
(a) Rich ought to share their wealth with the poor.
(v) Can we really call the city ‘great’ ? Why/ Why not?
Answer:
No, we cannot call the city great, for the rich make merry while several poor people die of hunger.
(vi) What are the implications of these lines?
Answer:
These lines imply that it is our duty to help the poor and the needy. Poverty is a curse. The rich ought to s^iare their wealth with the poor.
Question 2.
“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) Who said these lines “Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow”?
(a) The playwright
(b) The director
(c) The prince
(d) The young man
Answer:
(c) The prince
(ii) What was the young man trying to do?
(a) To finish writing a play.
(b) Leaning over a desk.
(c) Sleeping.
(d) Dreaming.
Answer:
(a) To finish writing a play.
(iii) Why was the young boy not able to write?
(а) He was hungry.
(b) He was thirsty.
(c) He was too cold to write
(d) He had no paper to write.
Answer:
(c) He was too cold to write
(iv) How did the young man look?
(а) Brown and crisp
(b) Red as pomegranate
(c) Black.
(d) Dreamy.
Answer:
(а) Brown and crisp
(v) What was the young man busy with?
Answer:
The young man was busy with writing a play for the Director of the Theatre.
(vi) Why could he not write further?
Answer:
He could not write further because he was feeling too cold. He was hungry also.
(vii) How did the Happy Prince help the young man?
Answer:
The Happy Prince asked the swallow to pluck out one of the sapphires from his eyes and give it to the young man so that he could buy food and firewood for himself.
Question 3.
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.
(i) Who is ‘He’ in the extract above?
(a) A boy
(b) A bird
(c) Swallow
(d) Statue
Answer:
(c) Swallow
(ii) Where did he reach at last?
(a) The poor woman’s house
(b) The play writer’s house
(c) The river
(d) The ships
Answer:
(a) The poor woman’s house
(iii) What did ‘he’ see on reaching poor woman’s house?
(a) the boy had fever.
(b) the mother had fallen asleep.
(c) the mother was tired
(d) all of these
Answer:
(d) all of these
(iv) What did ‘He’ give them?
(a) gold coins
(b) ruby
(c) Sapphire
(d) money
Answer:
(b) ruby
(v) Did ‘He’ reach his destination?
Answer:
No, he did not.
(vi) Do you think the great ruby can bring about a change in the life of the poor woman?
Answer:
Yes, the great ruby can bring about prosperity in the poor woman’s life, who had to work hard to earn to treat her ill son.
(vii) Where did he pass over and what did he see there?
Answer:
He passed over the river and saw the lanterns hanging on the masts of the ships.
Question 4.
“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.
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”.
(i) What could the statue see now?
(a) Comforts
(b) Buildings
(c) Ugliness and misery
(d) City
Answer:
(c) Ugliness and misery
(ii) When did the Happy Prince become familiar with tears?
(a) When he had a human heart.
(b) When he was dead and was set high on a pedestal.
(c) When his heart was made of lead.
(d) When he lived in a palace.
Answer:
(b) When he was dead and was set high on a pedestal.
(iii) Why can the Prince now not choose but weep?
(a) because he is now dead.
(b) he has become aware of the miseries and ugliness of life.
(c) his heart is now made of lead.
(d) he doesn’t have a palace to live in.
Answer:
(b) he has become aware of the miseries and ugliness of life.
(iv) Which word in the extract means the same as ‘calamity’.
(a) heart
(b) tears
(c) misery
(d) city
Answer:
(c) misery
(v) What did the statue not know?
Answer:
The satue did not know what tears were because he used to live in a palace.
(vi) What has happened to the prince?
Answer:
The prince is now dead and his statue was laid up very high.
Question 5.
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) Who is ‘He’ in the extract above?
(a) Play Writer
(b) Director
(c) Singer
(d) Artist
Answer:
(a) Play Writer
(ii) Why is ‘He’ not able to write anymore?
(a) He was hungry.
(b) He didn’t know what to write.
(c) He is too cold to write anymore.
(d) He has no fire in the grate.
Answer:
(c) He is too cold to write anymore.
(iii) What did the Happy Prince ask the Sallow to do for the play wright?
(a) Give him Sapphire from his eyes.
(b) Give him food.
(c) Give him gold coins.
(d) Give him fire.
Answer:
(a) Give him Sapphire from his eyes.
(iv) Who is the writer of thp lesson from where extract is taken _________.
(a) Oscar Wilde
(b) Harsh Mander
(c) A K Ramanujan
(d) Shakespear
Answer:
(a) Oscar Wilde
(v) What did the Happy Prince do for the playwright?
Answer:
The Happy Prince asked the swallow to pluck out one of the sapphires from his eyes and give it to the playwright so that he could buy food and firewood for himself.
Short Answer Type Questions
II. Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words :
Question 1.
Why do the courtiers call the prince “The Happy Prince”? Is he really happy? Why/Why not?
दरबारी राजकुमार को ‘हैप्पी प्रिंस’ क्यों कहते हैं? क्या यह ग्रमुच खुश है? क्यों/क्यों नहीं?
Answer:
The Prince remained in the palace and never came in contact with grief and misery as long as he lived, so all his courtiers called him – ‘The Happy Prince’. But when he died and his statue was put on a high pedestal he could see all around. He was grieved to see the misery and grief of the poor people. Their suffering made him unhappy. He became happy when he helped the poor and the needy by giving them all the precious stones and gold leaves with which he was adorned.
Question 2.
Where is the broken lead heart of the Happy Prince thrown?
हैप्पी राजकुमार का टूटा हुआ दिल कहाँ फिंकवाया गया?
Answer:
The broken lead heart of the Happy Prince was thrown on a dust heap where the dead swallow was also lying. ‘
Question 3.
Why did the Happy Prince help the little matchgirl?
हैप्पी प्रिंस ने छोटी-सी दियासलाई वाली लड़की की सहायता क्यों की?
Answer:
The little matchgirl had let her matches fall into the gutter. They were all wet and became useless. She started crying because her father would beat her if she did not bring any money home. So the Happy Prince helped her by giving her the sapphire from his other eye.
Question 4.
Describe the pathetic condition that seamstress lived in.
सिलाई करने वाली उस गरीब औरत की दयनीय दशा का वर्णन कीजिए।
Answer:
The seamstress lived in a very pathetic condition. Her face was thin and worn with coarse, red hands all pricked by the needle. Her little boy was suffering from fever and demanding oranges. But, she had nothing to give him except the river water.
Question 5.
How and when did the Happy Prince become familiar with the tears?
हैपी प्रिंस कब और कैसे आँसुओं से परिचित हुआ?
Answer:
As long as the Happy Prince was alive, he lived in a Palace and never came in contact with suffering or misery. But when he died, people put his statue on a high column. From such height he could see the poverty, suffering and misery of his people. It was only then he became familiar with the tears.
Question 6.
Describe the statue of the Happy Prince?
हैप्पी राजकुमार की मूर्ति का वर्णन कीजिए।
Answer:
The statue of the Happy Prince stood on a tall column. He was gilded all over, with thin leaves of fine gold. Two shining sapphires were his eyes, and a large red ruby shimmered on his sword hilt.
Question 7.
Why did the lead heart of the Happy Prince not melt in the furnace? What does it signify?
हैप्पी प्रिंस का सीसे का दिल भट्ठी में क्यों नहीं पिघला? इसका क्या अभिप्राय है?
Answer:
The lead heart of the Happy Prince did not melt in the furnace because it signified love and sympathy which are heavenly (दैविकगुण). These heavenly virtues never perish try hard as you may.
Question 8.
How did the swallow react when he saw the Happy Prince crying?
चिड़िया ने हैप्पी राजकुमार को देखकर क्या प्रतिक्रिया दिखाई?
Answer:
When the swallow saw the Happy Prince crying, he was surprised how a statue can cry. His heart was full of pity. He asked the prince why he (Prince) was crying and what help he (swallow) can do.
Question 9.
When the sparrow at last came to say goodbye to the Happy Prince, where was he going? Why?
जब अबाबील हैप्पी प्रिंस को अलविदा कहने आया तो वह कहाँ जा रहा था? क्यों जा रहा था?
Answer:
The meagre food that the sparrow was having was not sufficient to give him strength to bear the cold and the frost. He had become very weak and knew that he was going to die. Before dying he wanted to say goodbye to the Happy Prince whom he had started loving.
Question 10.
Why did the swallow want to go to Egypt?
चिड़ा इजिप्ट क्यों जाना चाहता था?
Answer:
The swallow wanted to go to Egypt because all his friends had already gone to Egypt. He could not bear the cold of the town while the temperature of Egypt is quite pleasant.
Question 11.
Why did the Happy Prince ask the sparrow to kiss his lips instead of hand?
हैप्पी प्रिंस ने अबाबील को हाथ के स्थान पर अपने होंठ चूमने को क्यों कहा?
Answer:
The Prince had also fallen in love with the sparrow for staying with him when he had become blind and helpless. It was because of him that he was able to make his people happy and healthy. Both were kind-hearted, sympathetic and helping. Their wavelengths were the same so they had fallen in love with each other. Since the Happy Prince loved the sparrow, he asked him to kiss his lips, not hands.
Question 12.
What strange thing took place when workmen tried to melt the statue in a furnace?
जब कारीगर भट्ठी में उस मूर्ति को पिघला रहे थे तब क्या अजीब बात हुई?
Answer:
When workmen tried to melt the statue in a furnace, a strange thing took place. This broken lead heart did not melt in the furnace in spite of the high temperature which can melt anything.
Long Answer Type Questions
III. Answer the following questions in 100-150 words :
Question 1.
Who said, “There is no mystery as great as misery” and why ? What made the statue of the Happy Prince ask the swallow to take off gold leaf by leaf?
किसने कहा-“विपन्नता से बड़ा कोई अन्य रहस्य नहीं है” और क्यों? हैप्पी प्रिंस’ की मूर्ति ने किस कारण सवालो (गौरैया चिड़िया) से कहा कि वह परत-दर-परत उसमें से सोना निकाल ले?
Answer:
The Happy Prince wanted to know about the sufferings of men and women in his city. He, therefore, asked the little swallow to fly over the city and bring him the information that he asked for. He remarked “There is no mystery as great as misery.” The swallow followed the prince’s command, flew over the great city, and saw the rich making merry in their beautiful houses, while the beggers 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. Two hungry boys were sitting under the archway of a bridge, lying in each other’s arms to try to keep themselves warm. The swallow flew back and told the prince what he had seen. The prince, who was covered with fine gold, ordered the swallow to take off gold leaf by leaf and give it to the poor. The prince thought that gold could make the living beings happy.
Question 2.
How did the Happy Prince remove the suffering of his people and made them happy?
हैप्पी प्रिंस ने अपनी प्रजा के दु:ख को दूर करके उन्हें खुशी कैसे प्रदान की ?
Or
Why does ‘Happy Prince’ want to part with all the gold, precious stones he has?
‘हैप्पी प्रिंस’ अपने सोने, बहुमूल्य रत्नों से अलग क्यों होना चाहता था?
Or
Write the character sketch of Happy Prince.
‘हैप्पी प्रिंस’ का चरित्र-चित्रण कीजिए।
Answer:
Standing on a high pedestal the Happy Prince saw the misery and grief of his people and tried to remove it with the help of his messenger, the swallow. He gave his sword-hilt-ruby to the poor seamstress so that she could buy oranges and medicine for her son suffering from high fever. He gave one of his sapphires to the playwright to buy food and firewood for himself and finish the play. He gave his other sapphire to the crying matchgirl who had let her matches fall into the gutter. Thus, he wiped her tears, though he became blind himself. He distributed all the golden leaves of his statue among the poor and starving children and people of his town. They sold the gold and the precious stones, got enough money to feed and clothe themselves properly.
Question 3.
God asked the Angel to bring lead heart and the dead bird to his garden of Paradise. How are you inspired to follow their examples?
भगवान ने देवदूत को सीसे का बना हुआ दिल और मृत चिड़ा अपने स्वर्ग के बाग में लाने को कहा। इस उदाहरण से आपको क्या शिक्षा मिलती है?
Answer:
People threw the lead heart and the bird on a dust heap considering it a waste. But God asked the angel to bring both the things considering them the most precious things in the city. It shows that the acts we do to help the needy and poor people are considered good deeds by the God. The swallow and the lead heart inspire us to do our duty till our last breath. It will give us happiness, satisfaction and peace of mind.
Moreover, real happiness comes by making others happy. If we will try to wipe the tears of others or try to give them smile, our own face will reflect that smile and we will feel contented and happy.
Question 4.
‘Good deeds make one happy’ – do you agree/disagree? Give your answer with reference to the story – ‘The Happy Prince’.
अच्छे कार्य आपको खुशी प्रदान करते हैं’-क्या आप इस बात से सहमत/असहमत हैं ? अपुना उत्तर कहानी-‘द हैप्पी प्रिंस’ के सन्दर्भ में दो।
Answer:
The acts we do to help the needy, poor and helpless men or animals are good acts or deeds. As a human being it is our duty to help our brethren or fellow creatures. If we do our duty, it will give us satisfaction. We shall feel happy, contented and have peace of mind. In the story – ‘The Happy Prince’, when the swallow fanned the boy suffering and feeling hot due to high fever, he felt comfortable and went to sleep. After doing this good deed, the swallow felt happy, contended and warm in spite of cold.
Moreover, real happiness comes by making others happy. If we try to fulfil only our own be greedy and selfish, we can never feel happiness for our greed and desire will increase as we try to satisfy them.
On the other hand if we try to wipe the tears of others, give them smiles, our own face will reflect that smile and we’ll feel contented and happy. So, if you want to remain happy and contented do good deeds.
Question 5.
In the city of the Happy Prince, the swallow never missed a chance to go around and admire the beauty of the city. What can we infer from his noticeable attribute of the swallow?
हैप्पी राजकुमार के शहर में चिड़ा घूम कर शहर की सुन्दरता की प्रशंसा करता है। इस बात से चिड़े की किस बात का पता चलता है?
Answer:
The swallow never missed a chance to go around and admire the beauty of the city. He was a fun-loving bird. He liked to visit the city and observe the routine life of the people. He observed everything and everywhere. He visited the church and saw the sculptured white marble angels on it. He saw the rich making merry and hungry poor people standing at their gate. He passed over the river and saw the lanterns hanging on the masts of the ships. He passed by the palace and heard the sounds of dancing. He flew into dark lanes and saw the White faces of starving children.”
Question 6.
When the Happy Prince was alive, he could never come to know anything of sorrow and misery. What do you think he could not learn from his life then? Describe in about 100-150 words.
जब हैप्पी राजकुमार ज़िन्दा था, तब उसको दुख के बारे में पता नहीं था। आपके विचार में वह अपनी ज़िन्दगी से क्या नहीं सीख पाया? 100-150 शब्दों में बताइये।
Answer:
When the happy prince was alive, he could never come to know about sorrows and miseries of life. He only enjoyed the happiness of the life. He did not know about the suffering and sorrows of the life. Happiness and sufferings are the two sides of the same coin. They go simultaneously in our life. We face sufferings and enjoy happiness and that is what we call life. Sorrows and sufferings make us sensitive. They teach us the true lesson of life. We can enjoy happiness only when we have faced sorrows and sufferings. The Happy Prince experienced only one side of the life during his lifetime. Only after his death, when he was standing as a statue on a column, he experienced the other side of the life which made him cry bitterly. Only then, he became a complete human being and tried to help others even with the last leaf of his statue. He had to give up his place in this process, but this was the real happiness which he felt.
Question 7.
The little swallow always talked about his friends. Did he cherish his friendship with the other birds ? What do you think he loved about the relationship he shared? Describe in about 100-150 words.
चिड़ा अपने मित्रों के बारे में बात करता था। क्या वह अपनी दोस्ती और दोस्तों को याद करता था? अपने इस दोस्तों के प्यार और संबंधों को कैसे समझता था? 100-150 शब्दों में वर्णन करें।
Answer:
The little swallow visited the city on ‘the way to Egypt. He wanted to go to Egypt as the city was too cold for him to bear while Egypt had a pleasant season. All his friends had gone to Egypt already six weeks before. He had to stay back for some reasons but now, he decided to go there and meet his friends. During his stay in the city, he used to miss his friends again and again and wished to meet them as early as possible. Even he did not want to help the prince but his tears meted the Swallow’s heart and he had to stay in the city for some time. He became emotionally attached with the prince and did not leave him until his last breath. He loved this relationship more than the friendship of the other birds. Although, the weather was not suitable for him yet, he did not take care of it because of the love and gratitude he had for the happy prince.
I. Summary In English:
The statue of the Happy Prince: The statue of the Happy Prince was placed on a tall pillar. It was covered with gold leaves. It had a large ruby on the sword’s handle, and two precious blue stones in place of eyes. The Prince was not all lifeless. He was very sensitive to the sufferings of his people. As long as he was alive, he lived in his palace. He never came in contact with the poor and the weak. But from that tall column he was able to see the misery of the poor artisans and writers. He shed tears but could not rush personally to their help. He was called Happy Prince by his courtiers. But it was a misnomer. He was actually very unhappy at heart. It was made of a hard metal lead but it was very soft and kind.
A swallow took shelter under the statue on his way to Egypt: One night a little swallow bird flew over the city. He was on its way to Egypt where the sun shone bright. His friends had already left for that warm region. He was left behind. He needed a place to spend the night. He found the place between the feet of the Prince suitable for him. As he sat there, a big drop of water fell on him. He wondered how the drop came down from a cloudless clear sky. Soon a second and then a third drop fell on him. He looked up and saw that the Prince was weeping. He was filled with pity for the Prince.
Prince asked swallow to pick out and give his ruby to the poor seamstress: The Prince and the swallow became good friends. The Prince asked him to do his job. The job was to help a poor seamstress, thin and tired. She was embroidering flowers on a royal gown. Her little boy was ill and thirsty. He was asking for oranges, but the poor mother could give him only river water. He was crying. The Prince requested the bird to pick out the ruby from his sword and take it to that poor woman. The bird was in a fix. He was to reach Egypt soon. Secondly, he was afraid of little boys who threw stones at him. But seeing the sadness of the Prince, he agreed to do as desired.
The swallow put ruby on table, fanned sick boy with wings: The swallow picked the ruby out of the sword and flew over the town. He passed by the palace and the church. He looked into the poor woman’s room. A boy was tossing restlessly on the bed. He put the ruby on the table and fanned the boy’s forehead with his wings. The boy felt cool and much better. The bird felt warm in spite of severe cold. The reason was that he had done a good deed.
The Prince requested swallow to stay one more night: The bird had a bath in the river the next morning. He visited all the important places. He was excited to think that he would be flying to Egypt that night. But the Prince requested him to stay for one night more and do a bit of a job. He wanted to help a poor playwright, who was unable to complete the play. The reason was that he was too poor to buy coal to keep his room warm. There was no fire in his fireplace. The Prince wanted one of the sapphires from his eye-socket to be taken to the poor writer. The bird agreed with a heavy heart to pluck off the, blue stone. He flew to the student’s small room noiselessly and put the stone on the faded flowers. The writer presumed that it was a gift from some admirer of his plays.
Swallow went to Prince to say goodbye and again postponed leaving for Egypt: The next day the bird spent the day at the harbour when the moon rose he went to the Prince to say goodbye. He was afraid of staying on further because it was getting colder day by day. The Prince, however, again prevailed upon him to put off his departure by one day. This time he wanted to help a poor crying girl whose matchboxes had fallen into a gutter. He wanted to save her from punishment of her father. He had one more sapphire to give. The bird dared not leave the Prince totally blind. He couldn’t disobey his friend and carried the jewel to the match girl. She ran home laughing.
Swallow stayed with blind Prince: Since the Prince was blind now, the bird decided to stay near him for help. He sat on the Prince’s shoulder and related stories of strange lands. The Prince remarked that misery of the people was the greatest mystery. He wanted to hear all about the suffering of the poor in his own state. The swallow
noticed that the rich were making merry in their houses while the beggars were sitting at the gates. The children were starving. The Prince then commanded the bird to take off gold leaves from his body and distribute them among the poor. This help made the children healthy and happy. But the Prince’s statue lost all its beauty without gold and jewels.
The swallow tried to survive the cold: Then the winter came with all its fury. The little bird felt very cold. He picked bits of bread from the baker’s door. He tried to keep himself warm by flapping his wings. He knew that he was going to die.
Went to Prince for final goodbye – died at his feet: He flew up to the Prince’s shoulder once more. The Prince allowed him to fly to Egypt after kissing him on the lips. The bird said that he was leaving for the House of Death. And he fell down dead at the Prince’s feet. Just then Prince’s leaden heart cracked into two parts because of hard frost.
Mayor ordered to remove and melt the statue – heart did not melt: The next morning the Mayor along with the town councillors noticed the statue. It looked shabby and beggar-like. So he ordered it to be taken down and melted in a furnace. The broken lead heart, however, did not melt. So it was thrown on a heap of dust. The dead bird was also lying there.
Dead bird and broken heart of Prince welcomed in Heaven: In Heaven, God asked one of the Angels to bring : him two most precious things from the city. The Angel { carried away the broken heart and the dead bird. God appreciated the choice. He allowed the bird to sing for ever in Paradise and the Prince to praise Him in his city of gold.
II. Complete Text With Hindi Translation:
Text (Page 28): The Happy Prince was a beautiful statue. He was covered with gold, he had sapphires for eyes, and a ruby in his sword. Why did he want to part with all the gold that he had, and his precious stones?
Vocabulary : statue (eu) image of stone/metal पत्थर/धातु की मूर्ति; sapphire (सफायर) a kind of blue precious stone नीलम; ruby (रुबी) a kind of red precious stone लाल; sword (सोड) तलवार; part with (पार्ट विद) lose, to give away दे देना, खोना; precious (प्रेशियस) valuable कीमती।
अनुवाद : हैप्पी प्रिंस एक सुन्दर मूर्ति थी। उसके शरीर पर सोने का पत्र चड़ा हुआ था, उसकी आँखों के स्थान पर दो नीलमणियाँ जड़ी थीं, तथा उसकी तलवार की मूठ पर एक लालमणि थी। प्रिंस ने क्यों चाहा कि उसका सारा सोना तथा बहुमूल्य पत्थरों को ले लिया जाए।
Text (Page 28) : 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 eves 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 Egyptioo.
Vocabulary : column (कोलम) raised platform चबूतरा; gilded (गिल्डिड) covered with gold सोने का पत्तर चढ़ा glowed (ग्लोड) shone चमक रहे थे; hilt (हिल्ट) handle मूठ, swallow (स्वॉलोज) a bird गौरैया अबाबील।
अनुवाद : नगर के एक भाग में ऊँचे स्तम्भ पर हैप्पी प्रिंस की मूर्ति स्थापित थी। उसके सम्पूर्ण शरीर पर सोने का पत्तर चढ़ा हुआ था तथा उसकी आँखों के स्थान पर दो चमकती नीलमणियाँ थीं, तथा उसकी तलवार की मूठ पर एक बड़ी-सी लालमणि चमक रही थी।
एक रात नगर के ऊपर एक अबाबील उड़कर आया। उसके मित्र छह सप्ताह पूर्व ही मिल चले गए थे पर उसे पीछे नहरना पड़ा था, फिर उसने भी मिस्र जाने का विचार बना लिया।
Text (Page 28) : 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.
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.
Vocabulary : preparations (प्रिपरेशनस) to get ready तैयारियों; plenty (प्लैन्टी) a lot of भारी मात्रा में; alighted (अलाइटिड) flew down and sat उतरकर बैठ गया।
अनुवाद : सारा दिन वह उड़ता रहा, और रात को वह नगर में पहुंचा। ‘मैं ठहरूँगा कहाँ ?’ वह स्वयं से बोला। ‘मुझे आशा है कि नगर ने तैयारियाँ कर ली हैं।’
फिर उसे एक ऊँचे स्तम्भ पर लगी मूर्ति दिखाई दी।
“मैं यहीं पर रात बिता लूँगा’, वह चौखा। यह अच्छा स्थान है, ढेर-सी ताजा हवा है। इस कारण वह हैप्पी प्रिंस की टाँगों के ठीक बीच में उतरकर आ गया।
Text (Pages 28-29):T 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 thingr he cried. ‘There is not a single cloud in the sky, the stars are quite clear and bright, and yet it is raining.’
Vocabulary: softly (सोफ्टली) in low voice मंद स्वर में curious (क्यूरियस) strange विचित्र।।
अनुवाद : मेरे पास अब एक सुनहरा शयनकक्ष है, उसने चारों ओर इष्टि दौड़ाकर मंद स्वर में स्वयं से कहा, तथा सोने की तैयारी करने लगा। पर जब वह अपने पंखों के नीचे अपना सर रखने वाला था कि एक बड़ी-सौ बूंद उस पर आ गिरी। ‘कितनी विचित्र बात है।’ वह बोला, ‘आकाश में एक भी बादल का टुकड़ा नहीं है। सितारे भी बिल्कुल साफ और चमकदार हैं, और फिर भी वर्षा हो रही है।’
Text (Page 29) : 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.
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.”
Vocabulary : chimney pot (चिमनी पॉट) an earthen pipe on the top of a passage for carrying off smoke चिमनी के सिरे पर लगी गिलासनुमा मिट्टी की नली; determined (डिटर्मिंड) took a firm decision निश्चय कर लिया; drenched (हैन्न्ड) made wet भिगो दिया।
अनुवाद : तभी एक और बूंद उस पर टपकी।
“ऐसी मूर्ति का क्या उपयोग यदि यह वर्षों से बचाव नहीं दे सकती ?’ वह बोला। ‘मुझे किसी चिमनी के ऊपरी भाग को खोजना होगा, और उसने उड़ जाने का निर्णय लिया।
पर उसके पंख खुलने से पूर्व ही एक तीसरी बूंद उस पर आ गिरी, और उसने ऊपर की ओर दृष्टि की तथा देखा-आह, उसने कैसा दृश्य देखा?
हैप्पी प्रिंस की आँखें आँसुओं से तर थीं तथा उसके सुनहरे गालों पर से आँसू नीचे बह रहे थे। उसका चेहरा चाँदनी में इतना सुन्दर दिख रहा था कि छोटे से अबाबील पक्षी को उस पर दया आ गई।
“तुम कौन हो?” उसने कहा। “मैं हैप्पी प्रिंस हैं।”
“फिर तुम रो क्यों रहे हो?” अबाबील ने पूछा। “तुमने तो मुझे भिगो ही दिया।”
Text (Page 29): “When I was alive and had a human heart,” angwered 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 vet I cannot choose but weep.”
Vocabulary: alive (जलाइव) not died, had life जीवित; courtiers (कोर्टिवस) ministers and other officials दरबारीगण; indeed (इनडीड) really वास्तव में; set me up (सैट मी अप) installed my statue स्थापित कर दिया; uglinese (अगलीनेस) dirtiness कुरूपता; misery (मिज़री) suffering कष्ट क्लेश; lead (लेड) a heavy metal सीसा।
अनुबाद : “जय मैं जीवित था तथा मेरे अन्दर एक मानवी हृदय था.’ मूर्ति ने उत्तर दिया, “मुझे नहीं पता था कि आँसू क्या चीज हैं (क्योंकि मैं तो राजमहल में रहता था जहाँ दुःख-दर्द को कभी प्रवेश नहीं दिया जाता। मेरे दरबारीगण मुझे हैप्पी प्रिंस कहा करते थे, तथा सचमुच मैं हैप्पी था। इस प्रकार मैं रहा तथा इसी दशा में मेरी मृत्यु हो गई। और अब जब मैं मर चुका हूँ उन लोगों ने मुझे यहाँ इतनी ऊँचाई पर रख दिया है कि मैं अपने नगर की सारी कुरूपता तथा दरिद्रता देख सकता है, और यद्यपि मेरा हृदय सीसा धातु से बना है फिर भी मैं रोने के अलावा कुछ नहीं कर सकता।”
Text (Page 29): ‘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.”
Vocabulary : polite (पोलाइट) gentle विनम्र; remark (रिमाक) comment टिप्पणी; musical (म्यूजिकल) sweet, sonorous मधुर, worn (वोन) much used, tired यका हुआ, क्लान्त; coarse (कोस) rough रूखे; pricked (प्रिक्ड) hurt by needle or something sharp and pointed चुभे हुए, seamstress (सीमस्ट्रैस) lady tailor वर्जिन; embroidering (एम्ब्रॉडरिंग) decorating with coloured thread and needle work कढ़ाई कर रही थी; maids (मेड्स) attendants परिचारिकाएँ, ball (बॉल) a kind of dance एक प्रकार का नृत्य; fastened (कासन्ड) tied बंधे हुए: pedestal (पैडस्टल) column, dais स्तम्भ, ऊँचा चबूतरा।
अनुवाद : “क्या। क्या यह टोस सोने का नहीं है ?’ अवावील पक्षी स्वयं से बोला। वह इतना विनयशील था कि उसने कोई टिप्पणी मूर्ति के बारे में नहीं की।
मूर्ति ने अपनी मंद मधुर आवाज में कहना जारी रखा-“दूर एक छोटी तंप गली में एक निर्धन का घर है। उसके घर की एक खिड़की खुली है तथा उसमें से मैं एक महिला को मेज पर बैठे देख सकता हूँ। उसका चेहरा पतला तथा सिकुड़ा है, तथा उसके हाथ भरे और लाल हैं, वे सूई से विधे हुए हैं क्योंकि वह एक दर्जिन है। वह एक साटन से बने गाउन पर फूल काल रही है जो रानी की परिचारिका का है, वह यह गाउन अगले शाही नृत्य में पहनेगी। कमरे के एक कोने में उसका छोटा-सा बेटा बीमार पड़ा है। उसे ज्वर है, तथा वह अपनी माँ से संतरे मांग रहा है। माँ के पास नदी का जल देने के अलावा कुछ भी नहीं है, इसलिए बच्चा रो रहा है। अबाबील, क्या तुम उसके पास मेरी तलवार की मूठ से निकालकर लालमणि नहीं पहुंचा दोगे? मेरी टोंगे तो इस स्तम्भ से बंधी हैं और मैं हिल भी नहीं सकता।”
Text (Page 30) : “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.”
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 he 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.
Vocabulary: messenger (1) one who carries messages संदेशवाहक, beak (बीक) mouth of a bird चोंच।
अनुवाद : मिस्त्र में मेरी प्रतीक्षा की जा रही है’,’अबाबील बोला। “मेरे मित्र नील नदी पर उड़ रहे हैं तथा विशाल कमल के फूलों से बातें कर रहे हैं। शीघ्र ही वे सोने चले जाएंगे।” प्रिंस ने पक्षी से कहा कि एक रात स्क जाओ और मेरा संदेशवाहक बन जाओ। “वह बालक इतना प्यासा है और उसकी माँ कितनी उदास है.” वह बोला।
“मुझे बालक पसन्द नहीं है,” अबाबील बोला, “मैं तो मिल जाना चाहता हूँ।” पर हैप्पी प्रिंस इतना उदास दिखाई दिया कि छटा अबाबील पक्षी भी उदास हो गया।”यहाँ तो बहुत ठंड है,” वह बोला। पर वह प्रिंस के पास एक रात रुकने को राजी हो गया तथा उसका संदेशवाहक बन गया। “धन्यवाद, छोटे पक्षी,” प्रिंस बोला। अबाबील ने प्रिंस की तलवार से विशाल मणिक निकाली तथा उसे चोंच में दबाकर नगर की छतों के ऊपर लेकर उड़ गया।
Text (Page 30) : 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.”
Vocabulary : cathedral (कैथेड्रल) church गिरजाघर, marble (मार्बल) a kind of stone संगमरमर angels (एंजल्स) lesser gods देवदूत; sculptured (स्कल्पचड) carved images मूर्तियों बनी थीं; balcony (बालकनी) projection छज्जा; state ball (स्टेट बॉल) royal dance ceremony शाही नृत्य समारोह।
अनुवाद : वह गिरजाघर की मीनार के पास से गुजरा जिस पर सफेद संगमरमर में देवगण खुदे हुए थे। वह महल के पास से गुजा तथा उसने नृत्य का शोर सुना। एक सुन्दर लड़की छन्बे पर अपने प्रेमी के साथ आ गई। “मुझे आशा है कि मेरी इस शाही नृत्य समारोह पर पहनने के लिए समय पर तैयार हो जाएगी,” वह बोली। “मैंने उस पर फूल कादने को कह रखा है, पर दक्षिा भी बहुत आलसी होती हैं।
Text (Page 30) : 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.
Vocabulary : masts (मास्ट्स) poles of aship मस्तूल; tossing (टॉसिंग) turning sides करवटें बदल रहा था; feverishly (फीवरिशाली) inafit of fever ज्वर के कारण; hopped (हॉप्ड)jumped in कूद गया; laid (लेड) placed रख दिया; beside (विसाईड) by the side of के बगल में; thimble (विम्बल) a metal cap born on finger for protection while working with needle दर्जी की उंगली में पहनने की टोपी; fanning (फैनिंग) providing air हवा देना; delicious (टीलिशियस) sweet, pleasant स्वादिष्ट, सुहावनी; slumber (स्तम्बर) sleep नींद।
अनुवाद : वह नदी के ऊपर से उड़ा, तथा उसने जलपोतों के मस्तूलों के ऊपर लालटे लटकसी देखीं। अंत में वह गरीब महिला के घर पर पहुंचा तथा उसने झांका। बालक अपने बिस्तर पर बेचैनी से करवटें बदल रहा था, और उसकी माँ सो गई थी क्योंकि वह बहुत थकी थी। पक्षी अन्दर फुदककर चला गया तथा महिला की अंगुली पर पहनने वाली कैप के बगल में मेज पर वह विशाल लालमणि रख दी। फिर वह हल्के से पलंग के कपर उड़ा तथा अपने पंखों से उसने बालक के माथे पर हवा की। “अब मैं कितनी ठंडक महसूस कर रहा हूँ.” बालक बोला। “मैं अवश्य ही अब स्वस्थ हो रहा हूँगा,” तथा वह मधुर नींद में चला गया।
Text (Pages 30-31). 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.
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.
Vocabulary : in high spirita (इन हाई स्पिरिट्स ) excited उल्लासपूर्ण: prospeet (प्रोस्पैक्ट) plan or chance अवसर, सम्भावना; monuments (मोनूमैन्टस) old historical buildings ऐतिहासिक इमारतें, steeple (स्टीपल) tower rising above the roof of a church गिरिजाघर की छत की मीनार; commissions (कमीशन्स) work to do मेरे लिए काम।।
अनुवाद : इसके पश्चात् पक्षी हैप्पी प्रिंस के पास उड़कर वापस आ गया तथा उसे बताया कि उसने क्या काम किया था। “यह विचित्र बात है.” वह बोला, “पर मैं काफी उष्ण महसूस कर रहा हूँ यद्यपि इतनी सर्दी है।” “इसका कारण यह है कि तुमने एक नेक काम किया है,” प्रिंस बोला। और छोटा पक्षी सोच में पड़ गया, तथा फिर सो गया। सोच-विचार करने पर उसे सदैव नींद आ जाती थी।
जब दिन निकला, वह उड़कर नदी पर गया तथा उसने स्नान किया। ‘आज मैं मिल जाऊँगा,’ पक्षी बोला, तथा इस विचार से वह उल्लासित हो गया। उसने सभी स्मारकों का परिभ्रमण किया तथा गिरिजाघर की छत पर बनी मीनार पर भी काफी समय तक बैठा रहा।
जब चाँद निकला, तो वह उहकर हैप्पो प्रिंस के पास पहुंचा।
“क्या आप मेरे द्वारा मिझ में कोई काम करवाना चाहते हैं?” वह बोला। “मैं यहाँ से प्रस्थान करने वाला हूँ।”
“अबाबील,” प्रिंस बोला। “क्या तुम मेरे पास एक रात और वहर सकते हो?”
“मिस्त्र में मेरी प्रतीक्षा की जा रही है,” अबाबील बोला।
Text (Pages 31-32): “Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow,” said the Prince, “far away across the city I see a young man in a carret. 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.
“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.
Vocabulary : garret (2) a room on top floor अटारी; leaning (लीनिंग) bending झुका हुआ; withered (विड) fnded मुरझाये हुए. violets (वॉयलेट्स) flowers of violet colour बैंगनी रंग के फूल; crisp (किस्स) stiff सत; pomegranate (पोमोनेट)afruit अनार, grate (ग्रेट) metal bara for holding coal inafire place अंगीठी की जाली; faint (फेन्ट) weak कमज़ोर; playwright (प्राईट) drama/playwriter नाटककार; rare रिवर) not easily available दुर्लभ: pluck (प्लक) pick out निकाला, तोड़ा।
अनुवाद : “अबाबील पक्षी,” प्रिंस बोला,”नगर के उस सुदूर छोर पर मुझे एक युवक अटारी में बैठा दिखाई दे रहा है। वह अपनी डेस्क के ऊपर पड़े कागजों पर एका हुआ है, तथा उसके बगल में रखे गिलास में मुरझाए नीले फूलों का गुच्छा रखा है। उसके बाल भूरे तथा सख्त हैं, तथा उसके हॉठ अनार की भाँति लाल हैं, और उसकी आँखें बड़ी तथा स्वप्निल हैं। वह थियेटर के डायरेक्टर के लिए एक नाटक समाप्त करने में जुटा है, पर उसे इतनी ठंड लग रही है कि वह आगे लिखने में असमर्थ है। अंगीठी के ऊपर वाली जाली में कोई आग नहीं है तथा भूख के कारण वह कमजोर हो गया है।” – “मैं तुम्हारे साथ एक रात और वहींगा,” पक्षी चोला जिसका दिल वास्तव में बहुत नेक था। उसने पूछा क्या मैं उस युवा नाटककार के लिए दूसरी लालमणि ले जाऊँ।” .
“अफसोस मेरे पास अब दूसरी लालमणि नहीं है,” प्रिंस ने बताया। “मेरे पास अब मेरी आँखें बची हैं। ये दुर्लभ नीलमों से बनी हैं, जिन्हें भारत से 1000 वर्ष पूर्व लाया गया था” उसने पक्षी को आदेश दिया कि एक आँख की नीलमणि निकाल लो तथा नाटककार को पहुंचा दो। “यह इसे किसी जौहरी को बेच देगा तथा अपने लिए इंधन खरीद लेगा, और अपना नाटक पूरा कर लेगा,” वह बोला।
Text (Page 32): “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 student’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.
“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.
Vocabulary : command (कमांड) order आदेश देना; darted (डार्टिड) flew in fast like a dart. डार्ट की तरह तेजी से अन्दर उड़ आना; buried (बरीड) put in an enclosure दफनाना, रखना; flutter (फ्लटर) the soft sound of moving wings पंख फड़फड़ाने की आवाज; appreciated (एप्रीशिवेटिड) admired प्रशंसित किया जाना।
अनुवाद : “प्रिय प्रिंस,” पक्षी बोला। “मैं यह काम नहीं कर सकता.” और वह रोने लगा। “अबाबील पक्षी,” प्रिंस बोला, “वैसा ही करो जैसा मैं कहता हूँ।” इसलिए पक्षी ने प्रिंस की आँख से नीलमणि निकाल ली तथा विद्यार्थी की अटारी की दिशा में उड़ चला। वहाँ प्रवेश करना बहुत आसान था, क्योंकि छत में एक छेद था। इस छेद से वह अन्दर घुस गया तथा कमरे में पहुँच गया। नवयुवक अपना सर अपनी हथेलियों में रखे हुए था, इस कारण उसे पक्षी के पंखों की फड़फड़ाहट सुनाई नहीं दी, तथा जब उसने दृष्टि ऊपर उठाई तो मुरझाए फूलों पर उसे सुन्दर नीलमणि रखी दिखाई दी।
“लगता है लोग अब मेरी प्रशंसा करने लगे हैं,” वह चीखा। “यह नीलम भी किसी प्रशंसक ने दिया होगा। अब मैं अपना नाटक पूरा कर सकता हूँ,” तथा वह काफी खुश दिखाई दिया।
Text (Page 32): 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.”
Vocabulary: harbour (हार्बर) port बंदरगाह; minded (माइडिड) paid attention to ध्यान दिया; bid goodbye (विड गुड बोय) take leave of विदा लेना।
अनुवाद : अगले दिन पक्षी बंदरगाह पहुंच गया। वह एक विशाला जलपोत के मस्तूल के सिरे पर बैठ गया तथा नाविकों के काम करते देखता रहा। “मैं मिस्त्र जा रहा हूँ,” वह चिल्लाया, पर किसी ने उसकी बात पर ध्यान नहीं दिया और जब चन्द्रमा निकला तो वह हैप्पी प्रिंस के पास वापस पहुंच गया।
“मैं अब तुमसे विदा लेने आया हूँ.” वह बोला।
“पक्षी,” प्रिंस ने कहा, “क्या तुम मेरे पास एक रात और नहीं ठहर सकते?”
“शीत ऋतु आ गई है,” पक्षी ने उत्तर दिया, “तथा शीघ्र ही यहाँ हिमपात होने लगेगा। मित्र में हरे ताड़ के वृक्षों पर सूर्य का ताप है, तथा मगरमच्छ वहाँ मिट्टी में पड़े रहते हैं और चारों ओर देखते रहते हैं।”
Text (Pages 32-33): “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.
Vocabulary : matehgirl (मैच गत) a girl who sells match boxes माचिस बेचने वाली; gutter (गटर) drain नाला; stocking (स्टॉकिंग) long socks लम्बे मोजे; darted down (डार्टिड डॉउन) flew fast तेज गति से नीचे उड़ा; swooped (स्यूड) make a dive while flying डुबकी लगाने जैसा उड़ना।।
अनुवाद : “नीचे चौकोर मैदान में,” हैप्पी प्रिंस ने बताया, “वहाँ एक माचिस बेचने वाली लड़की खड़ी है। उसने अपनी माचिसें नाले में गिरा दी हैं तथा सारी माचिसे खराब हो गई हैं। उसके पिता उसे पौटेंगे यदि वह कुछ पैसों के बिना घर लौटती है, तथा वह रो रही है। उसकी टाँगों में न जुराबें हैं, न ही जूते, और उसका सिर भी नंगा है। मेरी दूसरी आँख नोच लो तथा उस लड़की को दे दो, फिर उसका पिता उसे नहीं पीटेगा।”
“मैं तुम्हारे पास एक रात और ठहरूँगा,” पक्षी बोला,”पर मैं तुम्हारी आँख नहीं नोच सकता। फिर तो तुम अंधे हो जाओगो।”
“अबाबील पक्षी,” प्रिंस बोला, “मेरे आदेश का पालन करो।” इस कारण पक्षी ने प्रिंस की दूसरी आँख भी निकाल ली तथा उसे लेकर उड़ चला। माचिस वाली लड़की के पास से वह गुजरा तथा उसकी हथेली पर वह नीलमणि रख दी।
Text (Page 33) : “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.
All the next day he sat on the Prince’s shoulder, and told him stories of what he had seen in strange lands.
अनुवाद : “कितना सुन्दर यह शीशा है।” छोटी लड़की बोली, और वह हँसती हुई घर की ओर दौड़ चली।
फिर पक्षी प्रिंस के पास लौट आया। “तुम अब दृष्टिहीन हो गए हो,” वह बोला, “इसलिए मैं अब सदा ही तुम्हारे पास रहूंगा।”
“नहीं, छोटे पक्षी,” बेचारे प्रिंस ने कहा, “तुम अवश्य मित्र जाओ।” “नहीं, मैं सदैव ही तुम्हारे पास बना रहूँगा,” पक्षी बोला, तथा वह प्रिंस के पाँवों के पास सो गया।
दूसरे दिन सारा समय वह प्रिंस के कंधों पर सवार रहा, तथा उसे वे उन अजनबी स्थानों के बारे में बताता रहा जिन्हें उसने देखा था।
Text (Page 33) : “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 trying to keep themselves warm. “How hungry we are !” they said. “You must not lie here,” shouted the watchman, and they wandered out into the rain.
Vocabulary : marvellous (मार्बलस) wonderful, very lovely अतिसुन्दर, आश्चर्यजनक; mystery (मिस्ट्री) sonmething inexplicable रहस्य की बात, misery (मिज़री) suffering दुःख दर्द; making merry मिकिंग मैरी) to enjoy life जीवन का आनन्द लेना; ianes (लेन्स) narrow streets तंग गलियों starving (स्टाविंग) dying of hunger भूख से मरना; listlessly Feat) having no energy or enthusiasm left, restlessly शिथिल होकर, बेचैन; arehway (आव) semicircle overhead structure 64; wandered (ais) moved walked without any aim, roamed घूमे-फिरे।
अनुवाद : “प्रिय पक्षी,” प्रिंस बोला, “तुम मुझे आश्चर्यजनक बातें सुनाते हो, म अन्य किसी भी चीज से अधिक आश्चर्यजनक वस्तु है नर-नारियों के कष्टा दुःख से अधिक बड़ा कोई रहस्य नहीं होता। मेरे नगर के ऊपर उड़ो, छोटे पक्षी, तथा मुझे उसके बारे में बताओ।”
इसलिए पक्षी उस विशाल नगर के ऊपर उड़ा तथा उसने धनी लोगों को अपने सुन्दर घरों में मौज-मस्ती करते देखा जबकि भिखारी उन घरों के दरवाजों पर बैठे हुए थे। वह अंधेरी गलियों में उड़कर गया तथा उसने भूखे बच्चों के रक्तहीन चेहरों को देखा जो शांत शिथिल भाव से अंधेरी सड़कों को निहार रहे थे। पुल के अर्थ वृत्ताकार मेहराव के नीचे दो छोटे बालक एक-दूसरे की बाहों में लिपटे पड़े थे ताकि गर्मी महसूस कर लें। “हमें बहुत भूख लगी है,” वे बोले। “यहाँ मा लेटो,” पहरेदार चिल्लाया, और वे बालक वर्षा में बाहर निकल गए।
Text (Pages 33-34) : 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.
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.
Vocabulary : leaf by leaf (लीफ बाई लीफ) पत्ता-पत्ता करके rosier (रोजियर) reddish, fresh and healthy गुलाबीपन लिए. frost (फ्रोस्ट) frozen dew or vapour पाला: furs (फरस) short soft. fine hair of animals महीन रोवे; scarlet (स्कॉरलेट) deep red colour गहरा लाल, लाखा रंग: skated (स्केटिड) slide shoes with wheels to run walk on ice बर्फ पर फिसलने वाले जूते।
अनुवाद : तत्पश्चात् पक्षी वापस लौटा तथा उसने प्रिंस को वह सय कुछ बताया जो उसने देखा था। “मेरा शरीर सोने के पत्तर से तका हुआ है.” प्रिंस बोला। “तुम इसे पत्ता-पत्ता करके निकाल लो तथा उसे निर्धनों में बाँट दो, जीवित प्राणी सदैव यह सोचते हैं कि स्वर्ण उन्हें खुशी दे सकता है।”
टुकड़े-टुकड़े पत्तर पक्षी ने उखाड़ लिए. एक समय ऐसा आया जब प्रिंस नौरस तथा काला दिखने लगा। सोना जाकर उसने गरीबों में बांटा तथा बच्चों के चेहरे गुलाबी हो गए, वे सड़क पर हँसने-खेलने लगे। “अब हमारे पास खाने को रोटी है,” वे चीखकर कहने लगे।
फिर बर्फ गिरने लगी तथा बर्फ के बाद तुषारापात हुआ। सड़कें ऐसी दिखने लगी मानो वे चाँदी से बनी हों। हर व्यक्ति ऊनी वस्त्र पहनकर घूमने लगा तथा छोटे बालकों ने लाल रंग की टोपियाँ पहनों और बर्फ पर स्केटिंग करने लगे।
Text (Page 34): 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 ?”
Vocabulary : crumbs (क्रम्बस) very small pieces बहुत छोटे-छोटे टुकड़े; flapping (फ्लैपिंग) fluttering फड़फड़ाकर, strength (स्टॅथ) power शक्ति।
अनुवाद : बेचारा छोटा अबाबील पक्षी को अधिकाधिक ठण्ड लगने लगी, पर उसने प्रिंस का साथ नहीं छोड़ा, उसे इतना प्यार करने लगा था जब रोटी पकाने वाले दूसरी ओर देख रहे होते तो पक्षी उनके दरवाजे के बाहर पड़े रोटी के टुकड़े उठा लेता और अपने पंखों को फड़फड़ाकर स्वयं को गर्म रखने की कोशिश करता। पर अंत में उसे पता चल गया कि उसकी मौत निकट आ गई है। उसके पास मात्र इतनी शक्ति बची थी कि वह उड़कर प्रिंस के कंधे पर एक बार बैठ सके। “अलविदा, प्रिय प्रिंस,” वह बुदबुदाया। “क्या तुम मुझे अपना हाथ चूमने दोगे?”
Text (Page 34): “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.
अनुवाद : “मुझे खुशी है कि तुम अब मित्र जा रहे हो, छोटे पक्षी,” प्रिंस बोला। “तुम यहाँ बहुत लम्बे समय तक ठहरे रहे पर तुम मुझे होठों पर चूम लो, क्योंकि मैं तुम्हें प्यार करता हूँ।”
“मैं मिल नहीं जा रहा,” पक्षी बोला। “मैं तो यमराज के घर जा रहा है। मौत नौंद का भाई होता है, है न?”
और उसने हैप्पी प्रिंस के होठों को चूमा, तथा उसके पैरों पर निर्जीय होकर गिर गया।
Text (Page 34): 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.
Vocabulary : crack (कैक) splitting टूटन, दरार; snapped (स्नेप्ड) broken झटके से टूट गया; certainly (सर्टेनली) surely निश्चित रूप से; dreadfully (इंडफुली) horribly, severely भयानक, कड़ी square (स्केअर) a quadrilateral area with a garden in the centre चौकोर मैदान बीच में बगीचा; shabhy (शबी) ugly looking भद्दा।
अनुवाद : उस क्षण एक विचित्र टूटने की आवाज मूर्ति के अन्दर से आई, मानो कोई चीज टूट गई हो। तथ्य यह है कि प्रिंस का सीसे का बना हृदय बीच से टूट गया था। बहुत भयानक पाला जो पड़ रहा था।
दूसरी प्रात: तड़के ही मेयर नगर परिषद के सदस्यों के साथ नीचे मैदान में सैर कर रहा था। जब वे स्तम्भ के पास से गुजरे तो मेयर ने आँख उठाकर मूर्ति को देखा। “कितना भद्दा अब हैप्पी प्रिंस लग रहा है।” वह बोला।
Text (Pages 34-35): “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. 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.
Vocabulary : actually (एक्चुअली) in reality सचमुच proclamation (प्रोक्लेमेशन) announcement घोषणा; suggestion (सजेशन) proposal सुझाव।
अनुवाद : बहुत ही भद्दा, सचमुच, “नगर पार्षदों ने कहा जो मेयर की बात से सदा सहमत रहते थे तथा वे सभी मूर्ति को देखने पर गए।
“उसकी तलवार में जड़ी लालमणि गिर चुकी है, उसकी आँखों की मणियाँ भी गायब हैं और मूर्ति के शरीर पर अब स्वर्ण पत्तर भी नहीं रहा,” मेयर बोला। “वास्तव में यह तो अब कोई भिखारी जैसा दिख रहा है।”
“भिखारी से बेहतर नहीं,” नगर पार्षदों ने कहा।
“और इसकी टाँगों के पास एक मत पक्षी भी पड़ा है।” मेयर बोलता रहा। “हमें एक घोषणा कर देनी चाहिए कि पक्षियों को यहाँ मरने की अनुमति नहीं है।” और नगर क्लार्क ने इस सुझाव को नोट कर लिया।
Text (Page 35): 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.
Vocabulary : pulled down (पुल्ड डॉउन) removed हटा दिया; melted (मल्टिड) turned a solid into liquid गला दिया; furnace (फरनेस)afire place भट्टी; foundry (फाउंडरी) a place where metal is cast ढलाईखाना, heap (हीप) pile, mound of waste material ढेर।। , अनुवाद : इस तरह उन लोगों ने हैप्पी प्रिंस की मूर्ति को उतार लिया। “चूंकि मूर्ति अब सुन्दर नहीं रही, इसलिए वह अब उपयोगी भी नहीं रही,” विश्वविद्यालय के कला प्रोफेसर ने कहा।
फिर उन लोगों में मूर्ति को भट्टी में गलाया। “कितनी विचित्र चाल है।” उलाईघर के मजदूरों के ओवरसियर ने कहा “यह सीसे का बना हृदय तो भट्टी में गलता ही नहीं। हमें इसे फेंक देना होगा।” इसलिए उन्होंने उसे कूड़े के ढेर पर फेंक दिया जहाँ पर मृत अबाबील भी पड़ा था।
Text (Page 35): “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.”
Vocabulary : paradise (पैराडाइस) heaven स्वर्ग; precious (प्रशियस) valuable बहुमूल्य praise (प्रेज़) admire प्रशंसा करना।
अनुवाद : “नगर से मुझे दो सर्वाधिक मूल्यवान वस्तुएँ लाकर दो,” परमेश्वर ने अपने एक देवगण से कहा तथा वह देव परमात्मा के पास सीसे का हृदय तथा मृत पक्षी उठा लाया।
“तुमने सही चुनाव किया है,” परमात्मा बोले, “क्योंकि मेरे स्वर्ग के बगीचे में यह छोटा पक्षी सदैव अधिकाधिक गाता रहेगा तथा मेरी स्वर्ण नगरी में यह हैप्पी प्रिंस मेरी प्रशंसा करता रहेगा।”