study　Metaphysics。〃

So　he　returned　to　his　room　and　pulled　out　a　great　dusty　book；　and

began　to　read。

18

The　Happy　Prince　and　Other　Tales

THE　SELFISH　GIANT

Every　afternoon；　as　they　were　ing　from　school；　the　children　used

to　go　and　play　in　the　Giant's　garden。

It　was　a　large　lovely　garden；　with　soft　green　grass。　Here　and　there

over　the　grass　stood　beautiful　flowers　like　stars；　and　there　were　twelve

peach…trees　that　in　the　spring…time　broke　out　into　delicate　blossoms　of　pink

and　pearl；　and　in　the　autumn　bore　rich　fruit。　The　birds　sat　on　the　trees

and　sang　so　sweetly　that　the　children　used　to　stop　their　games　in　order　to

listen　to　them。　〃How　happy　we　are　here！〃　they　cried　to　each　other。

One　day　the　Giant　came　back。　He　had　been　to　visit　his　friend　the

Cornish　ogre；　and　had　stayed　with　him　for　seven　years。　After　the　seven

years　were　over　he　had　said　all　that　he　had　to　say；　for　his　conversation　was

limited；　and　he　determined　to　return　to　his　own　castle。 When　he　arrived

he　saw　the　children　playing　in　the　garden。

〃What　are　you　doing　here？〃　he　cried　in　a　very　gruff　voice；　and　the

children　ran　away。

〃My　own　garden　is　my　own　garden；〃　said　the　Giant；　〃any　one　can

understand　that；　and　I　will　allow　nobody　to　play　in　it　but　myself。〃　So　he

built　a　high　wall　all　round　it；　and　put　up　a　notice…board。

TRESPASSERS　WILL　BE