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“THE REMARKABLE ROCKET” by OSCAR WILDE

A wealthy prince and a Russian princess, who are meant to marry, meet for the first time and fall madly in love with each other. Their wedding is to be a huge celebration for the entire realm, with all sorts of entertainment, including fireworks as a grand finale.

Among the fireworks is a Rocket, who is arrogant, pompous and condescending. When he brags about his heritage, the others call him insensitive, and he takes great offense. To prove his sensitivity, the Remarkable Rocket bursts into tears before he is lit and is too damp to catch fire. The servants dispose of him over the castle walls and he lands in a ditch.

The Rocket doesn't realize that he has been discarded and believes that he is being given time to recover his strength before being lit. He still believes that he is superior, and speaks insultingly to a frog, a dragonfly, and a duck, boasting that he will be magnificent when he is finally let off.

wo boys who are collecting wood to make a fire mistake him for piece of kindling. Much to his indignation, they place him on their fire. Eventually he dries off enough to ignite and explode. Alas, it is the middle of the day, and no one sees the display except a startled goose. Even as he fizzles away, the Remarkable Rocket still believes that he has created a great sensation.