The Nightingale

A small grey nightingale lived in a wood by the sea. Every evening she sang in the branches. A fisherman stopped to listen and smiled. 'Oh, how pretty that is!' he said.

Her beautiful song became famous, and stories traveled far. One day the Emperor read about her and sat up. 'I must hear this nightingale tonight!' he said.

The Emperor's helpers searched everywhere but could not find the nightingale. A kind kitchen maid said she knew the way. She led them into the wood. There in the branches sat a little grey bird.

The nightingale agreed to come and sing for the Emperor. She sat on a golden perch in the great hall. Tears rolled down the Emperor's cheeks. 'Oh, how pretty that is!' he said.

One day a sparkling jeweled bird arrived as a gift. It sang a bright clicking tune, and the court loved it. The real nightingale slipped away and flew back to her green wood.

The jeweled bird sang the same song every day for a year. Then one evening it went 'bang' and stopped. A clockmaker fixed it a little but said it must rest.

Five years passed. Then one cold night the Emperor grew very ill. He called for music, but the broken bird made no sound.

The nightingale heard her Emperor was sick and flew back at once. She landed on his windowsill. Then she began to sing her soft, gentle song.

As she sang, warmth crept back into the Emperor's chest. 'Oh, how pretty that is!' he murmured. Slowly he fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.

In the morning, the Emperor woke up strong and well. The nightingale sat on the branch outside his window. 'I will come each evening and sing for you,' she promised.

And she kept her promise. Each evening the nightingale sang at his window. A true friend is the greatest treasure of all.