The Happy Prince, and Other Tales
About this audiobook
A charming collection of children's stories by Oscar Wilde
The Happy Prince
This is the tale of an unhappy prince and how he teaches generosity and love to a small sparrow who becomes his friend.
The Nightingale and the Rose
A nightingale overhears a student complaining that his professor's daughter will not dance with him, as he is unable to give her a red rose. The nightingale visits all the rose-trees in the garden, and one of the roses tells her there is a way to produce a red rose, but only if the nightingale is prepared to make a sacrifice.
The Selfish Giant
There once was a giant who had the most beautiful garden, but he refused to share it with the children in his village. When springtime refuses to visit the garden, the giant becomes sad and angryâuntil he meets a little boy who teaches him how to love others.
The Devoted Friend
A young lad is befriended by a prosperous farmer, who takes advantage of the boy's generosity and only gives him broken promises in return. But the young lad continues to be generous, even though his last act of kindness costs him dearly. Only then does the farmer changes his tune.
The Remarkable Rocket
The king's son was to be married, and there was to be a superb fireworks display for the event. All the rockets and different kinds of fireworks were excited about their big moment. But the Rocket was very arrogant and self-important, causing problems for all of the fireworks.
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About the author
Oscar Wilde was born in Dublin on October 16, 1854. He excelled at Trinity College in Dublin from 1871 to 1874, eventually winning a scholarship to Magdalene College in Oxford, which he entered in 1875. The biggest influences on his development as an artist at this time were Swinburne, Walter Pater, and John Ruskin. In 1875, Wilde began publishing poetry in literary magazines. In 1876 he found himself back in Ireland when the death of his father left the family with several debts. Wilde continued writing poetry in earnest, and in 1878, he won the coveted Newdigate Prize for English poetry. He soon left Oxford to build himself a reputation among the literati in London. During the 1880s, Wilde established himself as a writer, poet, and lecturer, but above all as a "professor of aesthetics." In 1884, he married Constance Lloyd in London. Sons soon followed: Cyril in 1885 and Vyvyan in 1886. During these years, Wilde worked as a journalist and reviewer, while also continuing with his other writing of poetry and plays. In 1890 he published his well-known story The Picture of Dorian Gray. The early 1890s were the most intellectually productive and fruitful time for Wilde. Some of his most familiar plays-including Lady Windemere's Fan and Salome-were written and performed upon the London stages. In 1893 Wilde produced A Woman of No Importance and An Ideal Husband, followed in 1894 by The Importance of Being Earnest. Wilde's life took a turn for the worst when, in May 1895, he was convicted of engaging in homosexual acts, which were then illegal, and sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labor. He soon declared bankruptcy, and his property was auctioned off. In 1896, Wilde lost legal custody of his children. When his mother died that same year, his wife Constance visited him at the jail to bring him the news. It was the last time they saw each other. In the years after his release, Wilde's health deteriorated. In November 1900, he died in Paris at the age of forty-six.
Sobha Tharoor Srinivasan has worked in radio, television, and theater since she was a child. After emigrating from India to the United States, she studied literature in college and has worked as speech coach, grant writer, and audiobook narrator.
Bobbie Frohman, a third generation Californian, was raised in a large extended family, the niece of cowboys. Early on she developed a deep love of animals, training her dogs to perform with her at dog shows, and as a competitive barrel racer with her beloved horse, Lucky.
David Thorn spent his early childhood days in the Channel Islands off the coast of France. He has recorded a wide range of children's and classical literature and won a nomination for an Audie Award in 2006 by the American Audio Publishers Association. He maintains homes in California and Spain.
