The Selfish Giant

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The Selfish Giant By Oscar WildeThis classic story by Oscar Wilde is set in a garden that is not unlike paradise. Children play freely among the trees and flowers. And then the owner, The Selfish Giant, returns from a long holiday and drives out the children. But all is not lost, for the giant finds redemption through a child.

If you like this story, you might also enjoy The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde.

Read by Natasha. Duration 14.12. Text by Oscar Wilde.


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
PROSECUTED

He was a very selfish Giant.

The poor children had now nowhere to play. They tried to play on the road, but the road was very dusty and full of hard stones, and they did not like it. They used to wander round the high wall when their lessons were over, and talk about the beautiful garden inside. “How happy we were there,” they said to each other.

Then the Spring came, and all over the country there were little blossoms and little birds. Only in the garden of the Selfish Giant it was still winter. The birds did not care to sing in it as there were no children, and the trees forgot to blossom. Once a beautiful flower put its head out from the grass, but when it saw the notice-board it was so sorry for the children that it slipped back into the ground again, and went off to sleep. The only people who were pleased were the Snow and the Frost. “Spring has forgotten this garden,” they cried, “so we will live here all the year round.” The Snow covered up the grass with her great white cloak, and the Frost painted all the trees silver. Then they invited the North Wind to stay with them, and he came. He was wrapped in furs, and he roared all day about the garden, and blew the chimney-pots down. “This is a delightful spot,” he said, “we must ask the Hail on a visit.” So the Hail came. Every day for three hours he rattled on the roof of the castle till he broke most of the slates, and then he ran round and round the garden as fast as he could go. He was dressed in grey, and his breath was like ice.

“I cannot understand why the Spring is so late in coming,” said the Selfish Giant, as he sat at the window and looked out at his cold white garden; “I hope there will be a change in the weather.”

But the Spring never came, nor the Summer. The Autumn gave golden fruit to every garden, but to the Giant’s garden she gave none. “He is too selfish,” she said. So it was always Winter there, and the North Wind, and the Hail, and the Frost, and the Snow danced about through the trees.

One morning the Giant was lying awake in bed when he heard some lovely music. It sounded so sweet to his ears that he thought it must be the King’s musicians passing by. It was really only a little linnet singing outside his window, but it was so long since he had heard a bird sing in his garden that it seemed to him to be the most beautiful music in the world. Then the Hail stopped dancing over his head, and the North Wind ceased roaring, and a delicious perfume came to him through the open casement. “I believe the Spring has come at last,” said the Giant; and he jumped out of bed and looked out.

What did he see?

He saw a most wonderful sight. Through a little hole in the wall the children had crept in, and they were sitting in the branches of the trees. In every tree that he could see there was a little child. And the trees were so glad to have the children back again that they had covered themselves with blossoms, and were waving their arms gently above the children’s heads. The birds were flying about and twittering with delight, and the flowers were looking up through the green grass and laughing. It was a lovely scene, only in one corner it was still winter. It was the farthest corner of the garden, and in it was standing a little boy. He was so small that he could not reach up to the branches of the tree, and he was wandering all round it, crying bitterly. The poor tree was still quite covered with frost and snow, and the North Wind was blowing and roaring above it. “Climb up! little boy,” said the Tree, and it bent its branches down as low as it could; but the boy was too tiny.

And the Giant’s heart melted as he looked out. “How selfish I have been!” he said; “now I know why the Spring would not come here. I will put that poor little boy on the top of the tree, and then I will knock down the wall, and my garden shall be the children’s playground for ever and ever.” He was really very sorry for what he had done.

So he crept downstairs and opened the front door quite softly, and went out into the garden. But when the children saw him they were so frightened that they all ran away, and the garden became winter again. Only the little boy did not run, for his eyes were so full of tears that he did not see the Giant coming. And the Giant stole up behind him and took him gently in his hand, and put him up into the tree. And the tree broke at once into blossom, and the birds came and sang on it, and the little boy stretched out his two arms and flung them round the Giant’s neck, and kissed him. And the other children, when they saw that the Giant was not wicked any longer, came running back, and with them came the Spring. “It is your garden now, little children,” said the Giant, and he took a great axe and knocked down the wall. And when the people were going to market at twelve o’clock they found the Giant playing with the children in the most beautiful garden they had ever seen.

All day long they played, and in the evening they came to the Giant to bid him good-bye.

“But where is your little companion?” he said: “the boy I put into the tree.”

“We don’t know,” answered the children; “he has gone away.”

“You must tell him to be sure and come here to-morrow,” said the Giant. But the children said that they did not know where he lived, and had never seen him before; and the Giant felt very sad.

Every afternoon, when school was over, the children came and played with the Giant. But the little boy whom the Giant loved was never seen again. The Giant was very kind to all the children, yet he longed for his first little friend, and often spoke of him. “How I would like to see him!” he used to say.

Years went over, and the Giant grew very old and feeble. He could not play about any more, so he sat in a huge armchair, and watched the children at their games, and admired his garden. “I have many beautiful flowers,” he said; “but the children are the most beautiful flowers of all.”

One winter morning he looked out of his window as he was dressing. He did not hate the Winter now, for he knew that it was merely the Spring asleep, and that the flowers were resting.

Suddenly he rubbed his eyes in wonder, and looked and looked. It certainly was a marvelous sight. In the farthest corner of the garden was a tree quite covered with lovely white blossoms. Its branches were all golden, and silver fruit hung down from them, and underneath it stood the little boy he had loved.

Downstairs ran the Giant in great joy, and out into the garden. He hastened across the grass, and came near to the child. And when he came quite close his face grew red with anger, and he said, “Who hath dared to wound thee?” For on the palms of the child’s hands were the prints of two nails, and the prints of two nails were on the little feet.

“Who hath dared to wound thee?” cried the Giant; “tell me, that I may take my big sword and slay him.”

“Nay!” answered the child; “but these are the wounds of Love.”

“Who art thou?” said the Giant, and a strange awe fell on him, and he knelt before the little child.

And the child smiled on the Giant, and said to him, “You let me play once in your garden, to-day you shall come with me to my garden, which is Paradise.”

And when the children ran in that afternoon, they found the Giant lying dead under the tree, all covered with white blossoms.

Stories in this series.

  1. The Happy Prince
  2. The Selfish Giant

52 Comments

  • Posted July 27, 2009 at 10:38 pm | Permalink

    I’m 1st !

  • Sheryl
    Posted July 27, 2009 at 11:35 pm | Permalink

    Hannah, Silly yeah! I’m 2nd!

  • Jose
    Posted July 28, 2009 at 4:05 am | Permalink

    I’M the third

  • Oj
    Posted July 28, 2009 at 4:51 am | Permalink

    I think this was a marvelous story! What a wonderful, fabulous story!

  • Posted July 28, 2009 at 8:31 am | Permalink

    5th

  • Posted July 28, 2009 at 8:35 am | Permalink

    where can i find this story in the archives

  • Posted July 28, 2009 at 8:54 am | Permalink

    dont worry about the placing

  • jodie
    Posted July 28, 2009 at 6:23 pm | Permalink

    im 7th

  • toni
    Posted July 28, 2009 at 6:25 pm | Permalink

    another good story by Oscar wilde is the nightingale.

  • rosa
    Posted July 28, 2009 at 7:06 pm | Permalink

    GET MORE KATIE STORYS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Posted July 28, 2009 at 7:42 pm | Permalink

    Rosa we’ve just recorded a new Katie story and we will publish it in the next week or two. Just between me and you, it will be called The Witch Who Lost Her Spells, but don’t tell anyone because it’s a secret.

  • Posted July 28, 2009 at 7:42 pm | Permalink

    Thanks Toni for the suggestion.

  • Posted July 28, 2009 at 11:55 pm | Permalink

    I quit Sheryl’s name [Not Saffron... just other name], I am Princess Emma( i love ppl that call my name) now… I would like to learn old english what giant saying. Like.. “Who art thou?”
    I felt it almost same as Romeo and Juliet…
    Of course Katie is my favorite character in witch story… I would glad that you publish Katie’s witch story. Anyways, i heard Bertie lives in London. omg he’s in England (UK). I live in USA… I wish i’m in England that will be Queen of England…
    Have a awesome summer~

  • Posted July 29, 2009 at 12:05 am | Permalink

    Bertie something tells me the secret is out!
    Hannah~

  • Kevan
    Posted July 29, 2009 at 11:44 am | Permalink

    Interesting…..

  • Michelle
    Posted July 29, 2009 at 1:15 pm | Permalink

    Wow, Bertie. It’s a miracle. I was practicing my key skills. I was typing the selfish giant. Then I decided to drop by in storynory, to listen to the new story. And it was the same story I had been practicing my key skills with!!

    P.S. Bertie, you are not going to be able to keep the Katie story a secret. Everyone can see it!!
    (Duh~)
    (Yes, I am a drama queen. also, an awarded fashion gru, and top student in every class.)
    (I’m ten years old.)

  • Michelle
    Posted July 29, 2009 at 1:16 pm | Permalink

    And I’ve acted in every school play!!!!

  • Posted July 29, 2009 at 2:48 pm | Permalink

    Hi Michelle, great minds think alike

  • Posted July 29, 2009 at 11:36 pm | Permalink

    Mitchelle, you should update your name~ :]
    Example: Queen Mitchelle
    because you’re top and drama queen~

  • Michelle
    Posted July 31, 2009 at 1:55 am | Permalink

    Princess Emma,
    I don’t think that’s going to happen. Nice thought, though.

    Michelle^v^

    P.S. My name is Michelle, not Mitchelle!

  • Michelle
    Posted July 31, 2009 at 1:56 am | Permalink

    P.P.S. Considering that, why are you ‘princess’ Emma?

  • Michelle
    Posted July 31, 2009 at 2:05 am | Permalink

    P.P.P.S. I really think that’Princess Emma’ is a dumb name! It sounds snooty!

  • Posted July 31, 2009 at 5:28 am | Permalink

    hey wat up bertie!
    the selfish giant is a very inspiring story i loved how u made plants and seasons talk to eachother. :) it really helps relate to da kids.
    well plz reply

    nikki

  • Posted July 31, 2009 at 4:19 pm | Permalink

    Hi Niki, The Selfish Giant is a beautiful story but I can’t take the credit for the writing as it was by Oscar Wilde

  • Posted July 31, 2009 at 4:21 pm | Permalink

    Dear Emma and Michelle, please no squabbling here. But thank you both for your many and energetic comments !

  • Posted July 31, 2009 at 11:54 pm | Permalink

    Michelle said: Princess Emma,
    I don’t think that’s going to happen. Nice thought, though.

    Michelle^v^

    P.S. My name is Michelle, not Mitchelle!

    Emma replied: I was just put ur wrong name because of ACCIDENT… I heard you are Bertie’s loyal fan, is that right?

    —————————————————-

    Michelle said: P.P.S. Considering that, why are you ‘princess’ Emma?

    Emma replied: I just want to put princess on my name whatever i want. Why don’t you want to put “Queen” on your name?? AND why don’t you see other person that put “Prince” on Percy’s name???

    —————————————————-

    Michelle said: P.P.P.S. I really think that’Princess Emma’ is a dumb name! It sounds snooty!

    Emma replied: BE CALM, MICHELLE. STOP DO RUDE STUFFS ON ME…
    I never squabble to Michelle. She’s fault first… She is first person who is really mean in storynory that i hear EVER… -.-

    ——————————————————

    -sigh- i answered Michelle’s quotes…
    Soo…. Do you forgive me, Michelle?

    Princess Emma~

  • Jenna
    Posted August 1, 2009 at 3:21 am | Permalink

    Love this story!!

  • ali
    Posted August 1, 2009 at 9:12 pm | Permalink

    Thank you for this a wonderful, anyway, It’s satifying conclusion. thank you again Natasha and wish you the best.

  • Posted August 2, 2009 at 12:40 am | Permalink

    Dear Bertie, have you publish “The Boy and the Sword”?
    Like.. the strongest man can’t pull the sword which is stuck in stone… and then… the weakest boy pull easily the sword out of heavy stone… he becomes king…

    Is that story u remember?

  • Posted August 2, 2009 at 6:56 am | Permalink

    Princess Emma, the Boy and the Sword sounds like the King Arthur Legend and we will be doing that one day.

  • Raphaello
    Posted August 3, 2009 at 7:34 pm | Permalink

    The Little Child in the story must be Jesus, The Son of God. I liked the story very much. It teaches us to care, to forgive, to love and to believe. Blessings to all who read the story and liked it.

  • allison
    Posted August 9, 2009 at 12:33 am | Permalink

    why does the giant die

  • Posted August 9, 2009 at 6:20 am | Permalink

    Dear Allison, The giant dies because he is old, but he does go to heaven.

  • sharanya
    Posted August 10, 2009 at 9:14 pm | Permalink

    bertie: i love this story thanx for putting it in storynory

    natasha: great voice

    from sharanya:)

  • Posted August 11, 2009 at 9:19 am | Permalink

    Hello Sharanya, yes, Natasha does have a lovely voice. Glad you like The Selfish Giant. It is a beautiful story.

  • marysel
    Posted August 12, 2009 at 8:51 am | Permalink

    i really like this story…i cried a few tears…

  • allison
    Posted August 13, 2009 at 1:13 am | Permalink

    Dear Bertie, your stories are the best stories in the whole world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please reaply Allison:p

  • Posted August 13, 2009 at 6:34 am | Permalink

    Dear Allison, You are very kind. Thank you for listening to our stories. It’s lovely to know that you like them so much.

  • Mom of five
    Posted August 15, 2009 at 2:45 pm | Permalink

    *sniff*
    Dear Bertie,
    I’ve read this story before, and it didn’t move me quite like it did after listening to Natasha’s reading it. I’m so glad that you and Natasha decided to post it. Thank You! *sniff*

  • suresh Gowrugolla
    Posted August 17, 2009 at 11:53 am | Permalink

    Nice to Hear

    The Giant has Kind heart

  • Posted August 21, 2009 at 12:22 am | Permalink

    i very like this story

  • Posted August 21, 2009 at 12:24 am | Permalink

    Yes i very like this story because it wonderful.

  • g
    Posted August 31, 2009 at 3:59 am | Permalink

    i li this story

  • g
    Posted August 31, 2009 at 4:09 am | Permalink

    this story is awsome

  • sara jawaid
    Posted September 1, 2009 at 4:39 pm | Permalink

    i have read the new story of katie which was THE WIZARD WHO STOLE KATIE’S SPELLS.BUT I SAY, I WANT MORE KATIE STORIES BUT LONG ONES BECAUSE THE ARE INTERESTING
    waiting for your reply.

  • Posted September 1, 2009 at 7:16 pm | Permalink

    Hi Sara, Really glad you like the Katie stories. The past couple of episodes add up to one story and they are 19 + 19 min

  • sezgin
    Posted September 6, 2009 at 10:27 pm | Permalink

    great story!!at the same time the best way to improve the language by hearing and reading…thanks natasha..

  • eshaka
    Posted October 24, 2009 at 6:08 pm | Permalink

    after half term our teacher is going to tell the class what happened but don’t need toknow the end because i already read it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Posted October 24, 2009 at 8:05 pm | Permalink

    Dear Eshaka have a great half term !

  • franco devi
    Posted February 4, 2010 at 2:39 pm | Permalink

    Thanks for the wonderful opportunities to access (and free) A magnificent tales of O Wilde. I am a child of 73 years, with a great desire to read and hear these beautiful fairy tales with a content of topical always moral. I wonder if it is possible to download other tales by Oscar Wilde (The Happy Prince, the devoted Friend, and others) . Tanks frank

  • sally
    Posted March 1, 2010 at 3:44 pm | Permalink

    this is a cool story lol

  • zaafra
    Posted March 2, 2010 at 6:33 am | Permalink

    liked the stoy t was nice with children
    and trees . at the last it was nice
    bye bertie.

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