The document summarizes Oscar Wilde's short story "The Happy Prince". It provides background on Wilde and classifies the story as a fairytale. It describes the major characters of The Happy Prince statue and the Swallow who becomes its messenger. It also outlines several minor characters that the Prince and Swallow help, like a seamstress, playwright, and little match girl. The document concludes with some of the story's themes around outward beauty, the gap between rich and poor, and how love and sacrifice can overcome society's worst aspects.