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He hopped in, and laid the great ruby on the table. Then he flew gently around the bed,

fanning the boy’s forehead
with his wings. “How cool

I feel,” said the boy, “I must
be getting better, and

he sank into a delicious
slumber.

Then the Swallow flew

back to the Happy Prince,
and told him what he had
done. ‘It is curious,’ the

Swallow remarked, ‘but I
feel quite warm now, although it is so cold.’

“That is because you have done a good action,” said the Prince.

The next evening, when the moon rose, he flew back to the Happy Prince.

“I am just starting” he said, “To Egypt”.

“Swallow, Swallow, little Swallow” said the Prince, “Will you not stay with me one night
longer?”

‘For away across the city I see a young man in a garret. He is trying to finish a play for the

director of the Theatre, but he is too cold to write any more. There is no fire in the grate, and
hunger has made him faint.’

‘I will wait with you one night longer,’ said the Swallow, who really had a good heart. “Shall
I take him another ruby?”

‘Alas! I have no ruby now,’ said the Prince. “My eyes are all that I have left. They are made

of rare sapphires. Pluck out one of them and take it to him. He will sell it, and buy food and
firewood, and finish his play.”

The Swallow began to weep. ‘I cannot do that,’ he said. “Please do as I command you,” said

the prince.

And the Swallow plucked out the Prince’s eye, and flew to the man’s room. He dropped the
beautiful sapphire. “Now I can finish my play,” he cried, and looked quite happy. The next

day the Swallow said.

“Tonight I am going to Egypt.”

111 Arrow - English Plus-7