The Happy Prince and other Tales

The Remarkable Rocket If you cry, you ll get wet. And you must always be dry18, the Roman Candle says. Certainly the Bengal Light says. That s only common sense. Common sense? the Rocket says angrily; I m very uncommon19 and remarkable. You have no heart. You can only laugh. Well, a small Fire-Balloon says, a marriage is a happy occasion. And this is a great marriage! Yes, but the Prince and Princess live near a river. Imagine this: they have a child; when the child is a little boy, he falls into the river; he drowns20. Oh, it s terrible! Poor people! The Rocket cries again. Stop it! There s no problem now! the Roman Candle exclaims. Yes, but I m worried21. You certainly are crazy! the Bengal Light exclaims. You are rude! the Rocket replies, and you can t understand my friendship with the Prince. Tears go down again. Stop crying! You must always be dry, the Fire Balloon says. That s a very important thing. Very important for you, answers the Rocket. I cry when I want. Tears go down again and again. Then the moon comes and the stars shine. The sound of music comes from the palace. At midnight the King calls the Royal Pyrotechnist. The guests go to the terrace. The fireworks can begin now! the King exclaims. The show starts and it is wonderful! Whizz! Whizz! goes the Catherine Wheel. Boom! Boom! goes the Roman Candle. 18. dry: not wet. 19. uncommon: not common, special. 20. drown: die underwater. 21. worried: unhappy and afraid. 49