NCERT Solution of Class 9 Moments Ch-5 The Happy Prince
Glossary
seamstress : a woman who makes a living by sewing
thimble : a metal or plastic cap with a closed end, worn to protect the finger and push the needle in sewing
garret : small dark room at the top of the house
Question 1:
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 flowed down his eyes on seeing the state of his city. He could see all the misery and ugliness of the city around him.
Class 9 Moments Ch-5 The Happy Prince
Question 2:
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 because she was very poor and could not feed her child who was suffering from fever. He was asking for oranges but his mother had nothing to give him.
The Happy Prince asked the swallow to take the ruby out of his sword and give it to the seamstress, whose son was lying on the bed with fever. The swallow took the ruby and placed it on the table. The bird fanned the boy’s forehead with wings and flew back to the Happy Prince.
Class 9 Moments Ch-5 The Happy Prince
Question 3:
For whom does the prince send the sapphires and why?
Answer
The prince sent the sapphires for the playwright so that he could finish a play for the director of the theatre in time. The princes sent his second sapphire to a poor match girl. Her matches had fallen into the gutter.
Class 9 Moments Ch-5 The Happy Prince
Question 4:
What does the swallow see when it flies over the city?
Answer
The swallow flew over the city. He saw the rich making merry in their beautiful houses. There were beggars sitting at the gates. He saw the white faces of the hungry children. He also saw the watchman asking two hungry boys to run off.
Class 9 Moments Ch-5 The Happy Prince
Question 5:
Why did the swallow not leave the prince and go to Egypt?
Answer
At first, the swallow was willing to go to Egypt just after discharging his duty properly. But when he saw Prince’s activities of charity and kindness he got impressed. On the other hand now the Happy Prince had become totally blind due to the deeds of charity. In this condition, he could not leave the Prince helpless. He left the idea of going to Egypt and decided to serve the Prince.
Class 9 Moments Ch-5 The Happy Prince
Question 6:
What are the precious things mentioned in the story? Why are they precious?
Answer
The leaden heart of the Happy Prince and the dead swallow are the two precious things mentioned in the story. They are precious as they did various deeds for the welfare of people and sacrificed their lives for the sake of others.
Class 9 Moments Ch-5 The Happy Prince
