THE HAPPY PRINCE

The swallow reported about the sufferings of the starving

people. At the command of the Happy Prince the swallow took of the

golden leaves from the statue and distributed them among the poor people.

Now the statue was dull and grey. The frost made the swallow colder and

colder and he was about to die. He flew to the Happy Prince who bade him

kiss him on the lips. The swallow fell down die at the feet of the statue. The

lead heart of the Prince broke into two.

The Mayor ordered that the statue should be pulled down

because it was neither beautiful now useful. The broken heart did not melt

in the furnace. It was thrown away on a dust heap where the dead swallow

was also lying. God asked the angels to bring the two most precious things

in the city. God praised the angel's choice in bringing him the leaden heart 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.

He was very much admired indeed. "He is as beautiful as a weathercock," remarked one of the Town Councillors who wished to gain a reputation for having artistic tastes; "only not quite so useful," he added, fearing lest people should think him unpractical, which he really was not.

"Why can't you be like the Happy Prince?" asked a sensible mother of her little boy who was crying for the moon. "The Happy Prince never dreams of crying for anything."

"I am glad there is some one in the world who is quite happy," muttered a disappointed man as he gazed at the wonderful statue.

"He looks just like an angel," said the Charity Children as they came out of the cathedral in their bright scarlet cloaks and their clean white pinafores.

"How do you know?" said the Mathematical Master, "you have never seen one."

"Ah! but we have, in our dreams," answered the children; and the Mathematical Master frowned and looked very severe, for he did not approve of children dreaming.

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, for he was in love with the most beautiful Reed. He had met her early in the spring as he was flying down the river after a big yellow moth, and had been so attracted by he