The Happy Prince (Part 3)

In this peaceful episode of Quiet English with Jacque, we continue the moving story of The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde.

As winter slowly arrives, the little swallow stays beside the Happy Prince for another night. Together, they discover a young writer who is cold, discouraged, and losing hope.

To help him, the prince makes another sacrifice… giving away one of his beautiful sapphire eyes.

This gentle episode explores kindness, encouragement, and the quiet ways hope can change a person’s life.

✨ This episode is perfect for intermediate English learners who want to:

• Improve listening through slow, clear English
• Learn emotional and descriptive vocabulary
• Practice understanding natural storytelling
• Relax with calm and meaningful content

🌿 In this episode, you’ll hear vocabulary connected to:

• Winter and weather
• Emotions and encouragement
• Writing and creativity
• Hope, kindness, and compassion

💌 I would truly love to hear from you.

Send me a message and tell me:

• Where you are listening from
• A thought or feeling you had during this episode
• Or suggest a short story you would enjoy hearing on Quiet English with Jacque

I may share your message or your story suggestion in a future episode

Slow, kind, calm English for listeners everywhere.

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You can email me at jacqueeddyvoice@gmail.com, visit my website at jacqueeddyvoice.com, and find me on Instagram @JacqueEddy and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EnglishYourSecondLanguage?

Thanks for listening. God bless.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:10

Sometimes we just need a quiet moment. This is Quiet English with Jackie. I'm Jackie. I'm very glad you're here today. Let's take a slow breath and settle in. In this peaceful episode of Quiet English with Jackie, we continue The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde. Listen for the feeling of the story and the rhythm of English. Tonight the little swallow stays once again beside the prince, and together they begin to see the sadness hidden throughout the city. The swallow rested quietly on the shoulder of the happy prince, and night air was cold now. Winter was slowly coming. Little swallow, said the prince softly, far across the city I see a young man. He is sitting alone at a desk. Papers are scattered around him. Beside him there are faded flowers in a glass. The young man is trying to finish his writing, but he is cold and hungry. There is no fire in his room. His hands are trembling. The swallow listened carefully. He dreams of becoming a writer, said the prince, but he is too weak to continue. The prince was quiet for a moment. Then he spoke again. My eyes are made of sapphires, he said. Please take one to him. Oh the swallow looked up quickly. But your eyes are so beautiful, he said. Please do not ask me to do that. Please do as I ask, said the happy prince gently. The little bird felt sadness deep inside his heart, but he knew the prince was right. So carefully the swallow removed one shining sapphire eye. Then he flew across the dark city. He passed tall buildings, church towers, quiet streets glowing under the moonlight. At last he reached this young man's small room. The writer sat with his head in his hands. I cannot finish my work, he whispered. I am too cold. The swallow flew softly through the open window and placed the sapphire beside the wilted flowers. Then he circled around the room, and the quiet sound of wings were heard in the darkness. The young man looked up suddenly. What is this? he said. A beautiful sapphire? He held it carefully in his hand. This will make me help me finish my writing, he said softly. Perhaps someone still believes in me. The swallow felt warm again inside, not because the night was warm, but because kindness had touched another heart. He returned to the prince. I have delivered the sapphire, he said, but now you only have one eye left. Yes, said the prince quietly, but someone now has hope. The swallow tucked his head beneath his wing. He was beginning to understand something. Sometimes when we give something away, we do not become poor. Sometimes we become richer in another way. Have you ever helped someone? And afterward felt peaceful inside That quiet feeling it's something very special. The city below them grew darker, snow began to fall softly from the sky, and still the swallow stayed beside the prince. If you'd like, pause for a moment and picture the quiet room, the tired writer, the shining blue sapphire, and the little swallow flying through the snowy night. Thank you for listening to Quiet English with Jackie. This story reminds us that hope can arrive quietly and sometimes in the smallest and gentlest ways. I would truly love to hear from you. Send me a message and tell me where are you listening from, a thought or feeling you had during the episode, or suggest a short story you would enjoy hearing on Quiet English with Jackie. And if you are an author and you have a short story that you think would be appropriate for this podcast, I would love to hear from you. In the next episode, the prince gives away something even more precious, and winter grows colder around them. Until next time, take care and God bless.