This book consists of
five short stories intended for children (sort of), though whether
they are or not for children is exactly what I'm going to write about
today. But I will write about only three of them. I cannot find it in
my heart to read The Devoted Friend
again and not interested to read Remarkable Rocket.
So, here are three of the five.
The Happy Prince
This
story is about a statue of a prince that was sad because he couldn't
help the people in the city. As the winter approached, he met a
swallow who agreed to help him day after day. The prince sacrificed
himself for people's sake, losing his eyes and the gold that covered
his body to help the poor. The swallow had so great affection for the
prince that he wouldn't leave him alone. Unfortunately, the people
show little gratitude for what the prince had done for them.
I
would recommend this story for kids above 12 y.o. The nature of the
story might be less appropriate for younger readers.
Nightingale and the
Rose
The
story is about a young scholar who was in love with a girl – his
professor's daughter – and wanted to ask her to be his dancing
partner. But she said she would dance with him only if he could get
her a red rose. A nightingale overheard this and was resolved to get
a rose for him. The nightingale tried to find the rose but couldn't.
Then she learned that the only way to get a red rose Is by
sacrificing her life. She did that, claiming that “love is better
than life”. In the morning, the scholar got his red rose and
presented it to his lady. But she refused it, saying that another guy
had given her a jewel, therefore she would dance with him instead.
The scholar threw the rose away and was determined not to love again.
Almost
like the Happy Prince, this story is far from happy ending story, and
also only appripriage for older children, I'd say 12 y.o.
The Selfish Giant
The
story is about a giant living in a castle. At first he didn't want to
let the children play in his garden, but he got all year long winter
and the other seasons didn't want to visit his garden. One day, he
saw children playing in his garden and thought it was beautiful. He
realised what a selfish person he had been all along. He saw a child
trying to climb a tree but couldn't, so he helped him, and the child
thanked him and kissed him. Although from that day onwards he let the
children play, he never saw again the kid who had kissed him. Before
he died, the kid returned, and asked him to join him in Paradise.
I
truly love this story. Perhaps it is the most suitable for children
of youngest age. I'd say kids from 5 y.o onwards can read the story
without any damage done to their mind or heart.
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