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 call the prince ‘the Happy Prince’ because he lives in the palace where sorrow was not allowed to enter. He was brought up in a luxurious environment. Now his statue is installed on a high pillar. He could now see the reality of life from that height. He could see the misery of poor and their pitiable condition.

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 sends his ruby through the little swallow for the seamstress who was very poor. Her son was sick and thirsty. She had no money to buy oranges for the little boy. The swallow lays the ruby on the table beside the woman’s thimble. Then, he flies round the table and fans the sick boy’s forehead with his wings.

Question 3.
For whom does the prince send the sapphires and why?
Answer:
The prince sends the sapphires for the playwright who was tired and hungry. He was writing a play. But his poverty did not let him complete the work. He did not have money to buy food and firewood. He took pity on him and decided to help him by sending the sapphire.

Question 4.
What does the swallow see when it flies over the city?
Answer:
When the swallow flies over the city, he finds widespread poverty all around. The beggars were sitting at the gates of the rich. The starving children with white faces were lying in the dark lanes. He finds the rich making merry in their beautiful houses.

Question 5.
Why did the swallow not leave the prince and go to Egypt?
Answer:
The Happy Prince had become totally blind. The swallow was impressed with his charity and kindness. He had sacrificed everything for a good cause of helping the poor in their needs. The swallow loved the Prince and could not leave him in that state. He decided not to go to Egypt. He remained there till his last breath.

Question 6.
What are the precious things mentioned in the story? Why are they precious?
Answer:
The two most precious things in the city were the leaden heart of the Happy Prince and the dead swallow. The angel considered them the most precious because they sacrificed their lives for the happiness of others.