The Selfish Giant is a story by Oscar Wilde. It is a widely popular story which has been told verbatim or as an abridged version over the years since it was originally written. What is it about the story of the Selfish Giant that appeals across all age groups. Let’s find out.
The Story of the Selfish Giant
The Selfish Giant is the story of a Giant who lives in a beautiful garden. His garden is the best and most beautiful in the village. The Giant’s garden is filled with fruit trees and flower orchards and lots of grass. This makes it a great playground for the children of the village. However, the Giant does not like to share his garden with anyone, not even the little children. When the children try to sneak into the garden and play in a corner, the giant builds a big wall around the garden to stop the children from getting in.
Winter comes and goes and Spring arrives. However, the Giant’s garden is still covered in snow. The Giant wonders why Spring has not arrived yet. One day, a few of the children find a hole in the wall and enter the garden. The giant sees greenery in one corner of his garden and rushes there. He reaches the corner and realizes that Spring has only arrived in the corner of the garden where the children are playing.
The children see the Giant arriving and run away. But, one little child gets left behind. The Giant realises that he has been selfish and helps the little child climb a tree. The children see this and return to the Garden. The Giant lets the children play all over the garden and breaks down the wall. He makes friends with the children and his garden goes on to be the most beautiful garden of them all. As the Giant says,
“I have many beautiful flowers,” he said; “but the children are the most beautiful flowers of all.”
Theme of the Selfish Giant
The Selfish Giant is a story that makes the value of sharing simple to understand. It sets out a contrast between what happens when you hold on to things and refuse to share. And how refusing to share means that you do not get to enjoy things that others may have as well. It is a good story to explain the concept of sharing and making friends.
Questions about the Selfish Giant
Who is the author of the story?
The story was written by Oscar Wilde.
What is the story about?
The story is about the value of sharing.
Why does the Giant build a wall around his garden?
The giant builds a wall around his garden because he does not want the children to come inside his garden and play there.
Why did the Giant break down the wall at the end of the story?
At the end of the story, the Giant breaks the wall to let the children come inside the garden and play freely. He realises that Spring did not come to the garden because he did not let the children enter the garden.
Like this story? Read this post about why it is important for children to read more value-based stories.
Looking for similar stories for your child? Take a look at one of these books for your children.
Ramya’s Snack Box
Not My Long Blue Skirt
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Ms Moochie Books is an independent publishing house for contemporary Indian children’s books. They are known for their unique approach to creating children’s books, which makes children the center of the entire process.
All new stories are first taken to classrooms by storytellers. Feedback from the children is passed on to the author, who makes changes until the story gets an emphatic thumbs up in the classroom. Only after reaching this stage, is the book finally made. This stands in contrast to publishers who work in offices, away from the world of children.
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