CBSE Class 9 English Moments Chapter 5: The Happy Prince NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

This section offers comprehensive solutions for CBSE Class 9 English Moments, Chapter 5, 'The Happy Prince'. The narrative is explored, focusing on the stark contrast between the statue's outward appearance of joy and the profound sadness it feels witnessing the city's widespread suffering. The solutions address key questions, clarifying why the prince was ironically named 'Happy Prince' and detailing his selfless acts of generosity, facilitated by the little swallow. It also examines the immense sacrifices undertaken by both the prince and the swallow in their quest to alleviate the pain of others. The chapter's central themes of empathy, the stark realities of social inequality, and the true essence of happiness and value are thoroughly discussed, aiding students in understanding the story's deeper meanings and preparing effectively for their examinations.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 9
Subject	Moments
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	5. The Happy Prince

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for 'The Happy Prince' (Class 9 English, Moments) offers in-depth answers to the chapter's questions. It covers the prince's initial perceived happiness versus his later sorrow, his selfless acts of giving away his jewels to alleviate suffering, and the swallow's role as a compassionate messenger. The solutions also discuss the story's commentary on societal disparities and the ultimate value of kindness and sacrifice, providing a clear understanding of the chapter's core messages.

Learning outcomes

Understand the contrast between appearance and reality regarding the Happy Prince's emotions.
Analyze the prince's motivations for sacrificing his jewels.
Explain the swallow's role and its developing relationship with the prince.
Identify and discuss themes of social inequality and poverty in the story.
Evaluate the true meaning of happiness and preciousness as depicted in the narrative.
Summarize the key events and moral lessons of 'The Happy Prince'.

Topics covered

Paper topics

The Happy Prince's initial perception of happiness
The prince's sorrow upon seeing city's suffering
The role of the swallow as a messenger
Acts of charity and sacrifice
Social inequality and poverty
The contrast between appearance and reality
The meaning of true happiness
The value of kindness and selflessness
Symbolism in the story
The prince's transformation into a statue

Important topics

The prince's acts of sacrifice
The swallow's loyalty and sacrifice
Themes of social inequality and empathy
The contrast between the prince's life and his statue form
The story's message on true preciousness

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Why do the courtiers call the prince 'the Happy Prince'? Is he really happy? What does he see all around him?

Solution: The courtiers referred to the prince as 'the Happy Prince' because, during his lifetime, he resided in a palace where sorrow and sadness were unknown. He was always cheerful and never experienced tears or unhappiness. However, after his death, when he was made into a statue overlooking the city, his perspective changed dramatically. From his elevated position, he could now see the widespread misery, poverty, and ugliness that afflicted the city. This stark reality made him deeply unhappy, and tears began to flow down his cheeks, indicating that he was no longer truly happy.

Question 2

Why does the Happy Prince send a ruby for the seamstress? What does the swallow do in the seamstress' house?

Solution: The Happy Prince sends a ruby for the seamstress because he observes her extreme poverty and distress. She is working tirelessly to support her child, who is suffering from a fever and needs care. The prince, filled with compassion, decides to help her by offering a precious ruby from his sword's hilt.

When the swallow arrives at the seamstress's house, it finds her asleep from exhaustion. The swallow carefully places the ruby on the table where she works. To further comfort the sick child, the swallow then gently fans the boy's forehead with its wings. This action helps the boy relax and fall into a peaceful sleep, providing some relief from his discomfort.

Question 3

For whom does the prince send the sapphires and why?

Solution: The Happy Prince sends his sapphire eyes to two individuals in need.

Firstly, he sends one sapphire to a young writer who is struggling to complete a play. The writer is in a state of despair because he is cold due to the lack of firewood and feels faint from hunger, which prevents him from writing. The prince hopes the sapphire can be sold to buy firewood and sustain the writer, enabling him to finish his work. The writer feels a sense of appreciation and renewed hope upon finding the jewel.

Secondly, the prince notices a little matchgirl standing in the square below. All her matches have fallen into the gutter and are ruined, meaning she cannot earn any money. Knowing that her father will beat her if she returns home without earnings, the prince sends his other sapphire to her. The swallow places the jewel in her hand, and she runs home, happy and relieved.

Question 4

What does the swallow see when it flies over the city?

Solution: As the swallow flies over the city, it witnesses a stark and disheartening contrast between wealth and poverty. It observes the affluent citizens indulging in festivities and enjoying themselves, completely unaware or indifferent to the suffering of the less fortunate living nearby. The swallow also sees the dire conditions of the poor, who are denied even basic comfort, such as a peaceful night's sleep, as they are disturbed by the police patrolling the streets. This flight reveals the deep social inequalities present in the city.

Question 5

Why did the swallow not leave the prince and go to Egypt?

Solution: The swallow chose not to leave the prince and fly to Egypt primarily because it developed a deep sense of loyalty and affection for the Happy Prince. After the prince gave away both his sapphire eyes to help others, he became blind. The swallow, moved by the prince's profound kindness and selflessness, could not bear to abandon him in his vulnerable state. Instead of migrating south to warmer climates with its friends, the swallow decided to stay by the prince's side, acting as his eyes and companion, demonstrating the power of friendship and compassion over personal comfort and instinct.

Question 6

What are the precious things mentioned in the story? Why are they precious?

Solution: The story mentions two things as ultimately precious: the leaden heart of the Happy Prince and the dead bird (the swallow).

These items are considered precious not because of their material value, like the gold leaf or jewels that once adorned the prince's statue, but because of the immense kindness, generosity, and selfless love they represent. The Happy Prince, despite being a statue, could not tolerate the suffering he saw and gave away all his valuable possessions to help the needy. His ultimate act of giving, his eyes, led to his blindness and his eventual decay. The swallow, inspired by the prince's compassion, sacrificed its own migration and comfort, staying with the prince until it succumbed to the cold. Its death at the prince's feet and the subsequent breaking of the prince's leaden heart symbolize the profound emotional connection and shared sacrifice between them. God himself acknowledges their preciousness, stating the bird will sing in paradise and the prince will praise God, signifying their spiritual value over material wealth.

Common mistakes

Confusing the prince's initial state with his later feelings.
Underestimating the significance of the swallow's sacrifice.
Failing to connect the prince's actions to the theme of social injustice.
Interpreting 'happiness' solely as a lack of sorrow.

Revision tips

Reread the story focusing on the prince's perspective after his death.
List all instances of the prince's generosity and the swallow's actions.
Discuss the story's message about wealth and poverty with a study partner.
Consider why the story is titled 'The Happy Prince' despite the prince's sorrow.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Why did the courtiers initially call the prince 'the Happy Prince'?

Q2. What precious stone did the Happy Prince first send to help the poor seamstress?

Q3. What did the swallow do to help the sick child of the seamstress?

Q4. Why did the Happy Prince send his sapphire eyes away?

Q5. What did the swallow observe about the city when it flew over it?

Q6. Why did the swallow decide not to go to Egypt?

Q7. According to the story, what are considered the most precious things?

Frequently asked questions

Who is the Happy Prince in the story?

The Happy Prince was a statue erected in the center of a city. While alive, he lived a sheltered life in a palace and was unaware of suffering, leading people to call him 'Happy'. After his death, his statue was adorned with jewels, but he could see the misery around him and felt profound sadness.

Why did the Happy Prince ask the swallow for help?

The Happy Prince, from his high vantage point as a statue, saw the suffering of the poor and needy in the city. He asked the swallow, who was migrating south, to carry his precious jewels (a ruby and sapphires) to those in distress, such as a poor seamstress, a young writer, and a matchgirl.

What sacrifices did the Happy Prince make?

The Happy Prince sacrificed all his outward adornments for the sake of others. He gave away the ruby from his sword and the two sapphires from his eyes to help alleviate the suffering of the poor, eventually leaving his statue stripped of its jewels and blind.

What role did the swallow play in the story?

The swallow acted as the Happy Prince's messenger. Initially planning to migrate to Egypt, it was persuaded by the prince's compassion to stay and deliver the jewels to the needy. The swallow also provided comfort and companionship to the prince, ultimately sacrificing its own life due to the cold while staying with the prince.

What is the main message of 'The Happy Prince'?

The story conveys that true happiness comes not from wealth or outward appearances, but from acts of kindness, generosity, and selflessness. It highlights the stark realities of social inequality and emphasizes the value of empathy and sacrifice.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, step-by-step explanations for each question, helping students understand the story's plot, characters, themes, and underlying messages. They aid in grasping complex concepts and preparing effectively for examinations.

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