What are the precious things mentioned in the story? Why are they precious?
The precious things that are named in the story are the broken heart of the happy prince and the dead bird. They are very precious because both the happy prince and the swallow were very king hearted, generous and selfless. The prince couldn't see the ugliness, misery and suffering of the people in his city and so he gave away all his precious stones and gold to make everyone happy. Similarly, the swallow sacrificed his trip to Egypt and decided to stay with the prince as his messenger for transferring the precious stones and got to the needy. That's why when god asked one of the angels to bring him the two precious things in the garden then the angel took the broken heart and the dead bird and god said that in his garden of paradise the little bird shall sing for every morning and in the city of gold the happy prince shall praise god.
Why did the swallow not leave the prince and go to Egypt?
Why do the courtiers call the prince ‘the Happy Prince’? Is he really happy? What does he see all around him?
Why does the Happy Prince send a ruby for the seamstress? What does the swallow do in the seamstress’ house?
What does the swallow see when it flies over the city?
For whom does the prince send the sapphires and why?
What are the things the child sees on his way to the fair? Why does he lag behind?
How does Toto come to grandfather’s private zoo?
In what way is Iswaran an asset to Mahendra?
What are the two strange things the guru and his disciple find in the Kingdom of Fools?
What havoc has the super cyclone wreaked in the life of the people of Orissa?
What is Johnsy’s illness? What can cure her, the medicine or the willingness to live?
What does the author notice one Sunday afternoon? What is his mother’s reaction? What does she do?
Bill Bryson says, “I am, in short, easily confused.” What examples has he given to justify this?
Has Lushkoff become a beggar by circumstance or by choice?
In the fair he wants many things. What are they? Why does he move on without waiting for an answer?
In the fair he wants many things. What are they? Why does he move on without waiting for an answer?
Do you think Prashant is a good leader? Do you think young people can get together to help people during natural calamities?
Why do you think Bill Bryson’s wife says to the children, “Take the lids off the food for Daddy”?
Can you think of some other ending for the story?
Mahendra calls ghosts or spirits a figment of the imagination. What happens to him on a full-moon night?
Why are his teeth and gums navy blue?
What do you think happens in the end? Does the child find his parents?
“Toto was a pretty monkey.” In what sense is Toto pretty?
How have the people of the community helped one another? What role do the women of Kalikuda play during these days?
During their conversation Lushkoff reveals that Sergei’s cook, Olga, is responsible for the positive change in him. How has Olga saved Lushkoff?