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The Selfish Giant

A Fairy Tale by Oscar Wilde

SHORT_STORY Classic Literature Ages 10–11 by Oscar Wilde classic
Every afternoon, children played in a Giant's beautiful garden — until he returned and drove them out, building a high wall with a sign: "TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED." With the children gone, spring refused to come. Winter gripped the garden year-round while flowers bloomed everywhere else. One morning a linnet's song woke the Giant, and through his window he saw the children had crept back in — and with them, spring. In the farthest corner one small boy stood weeping, unable to reach the lowest branch. The Giant's heart broke open. He tore down the wall and lifted the boy into the tree. From that moment, summer stayed in his garden — and in his heart.

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