FOR THE CHILDREN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2562, 24 July 1909, Page 4 (Supplement)

FOR THE CHILDREN.

THE EjJPEROR’S NIGHTINGALE. : (Continued from Saturday last.) j Ono day a large parcel arrived for 1 tho Emperor on which was written j “Nightingale.” ■ “Hero wo have another book about our far-famed bird,” said the Emperor. But it was not a book; it was a little piece of mechanism, lying in a box —an artificial nightingale, which was intended to look like the living one, but .was covered with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. When, this artificial bird had been wound up, it could sing one of the tunes that the real nightingale sang; and its tail, all glittering with silver and gold, -went up, and down all the time. A. little band was fastened round its neck, on which was written: “The nightingale of the Emperor of China is poor compared with the night- I in gale of the Emperor of Japan.” “That is famous!” said everyone; and he who had brought the bird obtained tho title of “Chief Imperial Nightingale bringer.” “Now they shall sing together; we will have a duet.” And so they must sing together; but it did not succeed, for the real nightingale sang in her own way, and the artificial b:rd produced its tones by wheels. “It is not his fault,” said the artist; “he keeps exact time, and sings quite according to method.” So the artificial bird must now sing alone; he was quite as successful as the real nightingale. And then lie was so J much prettier to look at; his plumage sparkled with jewels, silver, and gold. Three-and-thirty times he sang one and the same tune, and yet he was not weary; everyone would willingly have heard him again. However, the Emperor now wished the real nightingale to sing something. But where was she? No ono had remarked that she had llown out of the open window; flown away to her own green wood. “What is the meaning of this?” said-' tho Emperor; and all the courtiers abused the nightingale, and called her a . most ungrateful creature. “We have the best bird, at all events.” said they. And for tlio four-and-thirtieth time they heard the same tune; but still they did not qnit-e know it, because it was so difficult. The real nightingale was banished from the Empire; but the artificial bird had its place on a silken cushion, close to the Emperor’s bed. All the presents he received, gold and precious stones, lay around him; he had obtained the rank and title of “High Imperial Dessert Singer.” Thus it went on for a whole year. The Emperor, the Court, and all the Chinese knew every note of the artificial < bird’s song by heart: but that was the very reason why they enjoyed it so much—they could now sing with him. But one evening, when the bird was in full voice, and the Emperor lay in bed and listened, there was sudden !v a noise, “bang!” inside the bird; then something sprang, “sur-r-r!” all the wheels were running about, and the music stopped. The Emperor jumped quickly out of bed, and In's chief physician was called. But of what use con'd lie be? Then a clockmaker was fetched, and at last, after a great deal of consultation, the bird was in some measure put to rights

again; but the clockmaker said he "musir; be spared much singing, for the pegswere almost worn out, and it was impossible to renew them. There was. great lamentation, for now the artificial bird was allowed to sing only ouco a year.

When five years were -passed away, a great affliction visited the whole Empire. The Emperor was ill, and it was reported that he could not live. Cold and pale lay the Emperor in his magnificent bed. The floors of all the passages were covered with cloth, in. order that not a step could be heard; it was everywhere so still—so very still. But the Emperor was not yet dead. Stiff and pale he lay in his splendid bed, with the long velvet curtains and heavy gold tassels. Death sat at the Emperor’s bedside, and the Emperor was afraid. A window was opened above, and the moon shone down on the Emperor and the artificial bird. “Music, music!” cried the Emperor. “Thou dear little artificial bird, sing,. I pray thee, sing! I have given theo gold and precious stones; I have even hung my golden slippers round thy neck! ising, I pray thee, sing!” But the bird was silent; there was no one there to wind him up, and so he could not sing. Death continued to stare at the Emperor with his great hollow eyes; and everywhere it was still —fearfully still. All at once the sweetest sopg was heard, and the room became filled with such beautiful sounds that Death could not stay. The music of the real living nightingale could vanish Death, who, like a cold white shadow, flew out at the window.

“Thanks, thanks!” said the Emperor. “Thou heavenly little bird. I know theo well, f have banished thee from my realm, and thou in return hastbrought me back to life. How shall I reward tlieo?”

“Thou hast already rewarded me,” said the nightingale. “I have seen tears in thine eyes, as when I sang to thee for the first time. Those I shall never forget; they are jewels which do so much good to a minstrel’s heart. But sleep now, and wake fresh and healthy. " I will sing time to sleep.” And she sang, and the Emperor fell into a sweet sleep. Oh, how soft and kindly was that sleep ! When all the people j:new that tl eir Emperor was whole again, their joy knew no bounds, and the little nightingale was the most popular person in the land.

The Emperor begged her to stay with him and live in the palace, but to this she would not consent.

"I must be free.” said r,oe. “But in the evening, when you are al-w c. 1 will come and sit on the branch <-f a tree by your window and suit to on *. t the good and evil of the world, and fill your mind with beautiful, helpful thoughts.”