In fact , it is quite unpractical , and , as in this age to be practical is everything , I shall go back to Philosophy and study Metaphysics . '' So he returned to his room and pulled out a great dusty book , and began to read . THE SELFISH GIANT Every afternoon , as they were coming from school , the children used to go and play in the Giant 's garden . 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 XXXXX to each other .
arrived built came coming play playing returned round said stood