The Happy Prince
Complete textA swallow pauses beside the jeweled statue of a prince and discovers that its admired beauty overlooks suffering throughout the city. Asked to carry gifts to particular households, the bird must choose between continuing its migration and staying to help.
Continue readingAbout The Happy Prince
The elevated statue sees what comfortable passersby prefer not to notice, while the swallow can cross the distance between observation and action. Descriptions of ornament gradually become descriptions of use. The story contrasts official admiration with practical generosity, making beauty a question of attention and service rather than appearance alone.
Reading focus
Follow how the statue's decorative features acquire practical meaning when the swallow carries them into the city.
This reading edition contains 3,472 words in 1 original section. Read the text online with adjustable type and three colour themes, or keep a printable PDF.
Author: Oscar Wilde. Language: English. Reading edition: 28 October 2026.
Opening excerpt
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.
Contents
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Is this the complete The Happy Prince?
This edition contains the complete English literary text, with 1 section and 3,472 words. This reading edition preserves the checked English text and its section order. No study notes have been added.
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