The Nightingale Story

The value of real things is always greater than the artificial ones. The value of a person or a thing can only be understood in the right place. The story of the nightingale explains how a bird loses its value when caged and how it saves the Chinese Emperor from imminent death. Let us find out by reading this Story of a Nightingale and the Chinese Emperor.

The Nightingale Short Story

Once upon a time, an emperor lived in China. He was loved by all because of his acts. He had made the most amazing palace in the world with costly stones. Visitors praised his choices and admired the gardens he made. But one thing they could not praise more - a nightingale that sang in the gardens. Nobody knew where it was but had listened to its mesmerizing songs.

News started to spread like wildfire. The songs of the nightingale were mentioned in the books and poems. It came to the notice of the Chinese emperor. He said, “What is this bird? Does it sing that beautifully?”

The courtiers were asked by the emperor about the location of the bird. Everyone started looking for it in the gardens and mountains, but no one could find the bird that sang so well.

The Invitation to Sing

The Chinese emperor was angry that no one in the dynasty could find a small bird. He ordered that if the courtiers could not find the bird by the end of supper, everyone would be punished severely.

No stones were unturned. Suddenly, a little maid working in the royal kitchen told someone that she had listened to the bird and knew its location. The songs of the bird made her cry.

The nightingale was approached and invited to sing in the court. The bird was thrilled. It visited the court and sang so well that all the courtiers and the emperor cried.

The emperor was so happy that he wanted to put him in a golden cage and take good care. Even though the bird denied it, he did not listen. The bird was sad.

The Gift

The Japanese emperor gifted the Chinese emperor a jeweled bird toy that sang. Everyone was fascinated by the toy’s sounds. One day, a courtier left the cage open while listening to the toy singing. The nightingale escaped into the woods, and no one paid any attention.

One day, the toy broke down, and the artificial bird stopped singing.

The Chinese Emperor is Fascinated by the Toy Bird

The Encounter with Death

The king was not keeping well. One night, he felt a huge weight on his chest. When he opened his eyes, he saw Death sitting on his chest and wearing his crown.

The nightingale was aware of this. It approached the window and sang so sweetly. Even Death was impressed. He asked the bird what it wanted in exchange for the songs. The bird asked for the emperor’s life.

To everyone’s surprise, the pale face of the emperor became healthy. He regained his health within a few days. He could not believe that the bird he caged saved his life.

He realized his fault. The nightingale then explained that its songs were more beautiful when it was free.

Moral of The Nightingale Story

The Nightingale Story moral depicts that friendship becomes better when both have freedom. A captivated bird will sing in distress, but a free one will sing with its life. The lively songs will be more melodious, and so will the friendship.

Tips for Parents and Teachers

Understand the Nightingale Story summary first and then use pictures to explain the story in a better way. Explain how freedom is directly linked to happiness. Children will realize the value of freedom on their own.